Miami Blues

Based on the late Charles Willeford's detective novel of the same name, Miami Blues could have been just another rehash of the cold-blooded killer vs. the dogged detective theme, but it's not. The film opens with Junior (Alec Baldwin), fresh out of prison, arriving in the Miami airport, and promptly breaking the finger of an overly tenacious Hare Krishna (who goes into shock and dies). We sense that Junior is a bad dude--but we're not ready to completely remove our sympathies, yet. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Junior is a machine that clicks on at the slightest opportunity for personal gain and/or violence. When Miami detective Hoke Moseley (Fred Ward) enters a cat and mouse game with Junior, Hoke is promptly whomped and stomped. Junior takes his badge and his gun. This opens up a whole new world for Junior who goes about the city interrupting holdups and raiding illegal gambling dens--keeping the booty for himself. But it is neither Junior, nor Hoke who maintain our interest--or, for that matter, holds the movie together--it is Susie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the innocent prostitute/waif who falls for Junior. Leigh is so artfully ingenuous in the role that we hang on her every struggling syllable. Miami Blues has nothing new to say, nor will the camera's loving treatment of Junior--who embodies a moral universe turned upside down--sit well with all viewers. But most will overlook the ethics (and the graphic violence) and enjoy this tightly constructed offbeat thriller. Recommended. (R. Pitman) [Blu-ray Review—May 5, 2015—Shout! Factory, 97 min., R, $24.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1990's Miami Blues features a fine transfer and an LPCM stereo soundtrack. Extras include an interview with Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh (30 min.). Bottom line: this solid action-thriller makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]