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Stakeout
1987 116 min United States of America R 18+
★7.2
Action, Comedy, Romance
Director: John Badham
Trailers
Description
Two detectives observe an escaped convict's ex-girlfriend, but complications set in when one of them falls for her.
Budget:
$14.5M
US Gross:
$65.67M
Worldwide:
$65.67M
Starring
Richard Dreyfuss
Actor
Emilio Estevez
Actor
Madeleine Stowe
Actor
Awards
2 wins total
Key opinion
Stakeout is widely regarded as a quintessential 80s buddy-cop film that succeeds due to its high-energy blend of action and comedy. While not aiming for high art, it is praised for its charm and remains a standout in the genre thanks to the engaging performances of its leads.
| Acting | The natural and lively chemistry between Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez serves as the film's primary anchor and creative strength. | |
| Pacing | The film excels at maintaining a balanced and engaging pace that keeps the audience entertained throughout its runtime. | |
| Screenplay | The script manages to avoid tired genre tropes like excessive slapstick, absurd plot holes, and unnecessary flashbacks. | |
| Humor | The sharp humor and wit contribute to the film’s status as a highly accessible and enjoyable piece of 80s entertainment. | |
| Screenplay | The villain characters are perceived as weak, detracting slightly from the overall impact of the action-heavy plot. |