Main Cast: Charles Bronson, Kathleen Wilhoite, Carrie Snodgress, Robert F. Lyons, Angel Tompkins, Richard Romanus
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
An officer of the law becomes a wanted man while trailing a killer in this crime drama. Jack Murphy (Charles Bronson) is a police detective who helped to put Joan Freeman (Carrie Snodgress), a psychotic murderer, behind bars ten years ago. However, Joan is now back on the street and determined to get revenge on Jack. She kills Jack's ex-wife and her new husband, and she cleverly frames the detective for the crime. Jack is arrested and taken into custody handcuffed to Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite), a rough-and-ready young hoodlum picked up for theft. Jack is able to escape, and has to track down Joan in order to clear his name with Arabella as his unwitting accomplice. Murphy's Law also features Lawrence Tierney and Richard Romanus. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
This often silly but fitfully amusing potboiler is one of the better Charles Bronson vehicles from his 1980s era. Gail Morgan Hickman's script makes up for what it lacks in originality and believable dialogue with plenty of colorful B-movie characterizations, a lively pace, and a string of amusing action set pieces. Director J. Lee Thompson fails to invest the movie with any kind of real dramatic weight but his slick direction keeps things moving nicely and he wisely fleshes out the supporting cast with plenty of familiar faces. Those familiar faces play a big part in making Murphy's Law entertaining: Lawrence Tierney has a darkly amusing bit as an ill-fated private eye, Carrie Snodgrass throws plenty of method-actor theatrics into her psycho killer role, and Richard Romanus is a hoot as the tough-talking but secretly cowardly mob boss with a grudge against Jack Murphy. In terms of leads, Bronson is his usual stone-faced self but sidekick Kathleen Wilhoite proves to be a likable comedic foil despite the groan-worthy dialogue she is saddled with. In the end, Murphy's Law is far from Bronson's best work but energetic enough to keep his fans entertained. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Bill Henderson - Ben Wilcove; James Luisi - Ed Reineke; Clifford A. Pellow - Lt. Nachman; Frank Annese - Kelly; Robert Axelrod - Hotel Clerk; Don Brodie - Old Man; Randall Carver - Mechanic; Chris de Rose - Tony Vincenzo; Greg Finley - Booking Sergeant; Mischa Hausserman - Dave Manzarek; John Hawker - Hotel Guest; Dennis Hayden - Sonny; Cal Haynes - Reese; Richard Hochberg - Man With Glasses; Hans Howes - Santana; Leigh Lombardi - Stewardess; Janet MacLachlan - Dr. Lovell; Joseph Spallina Roman - Carl; Janet Rotblatt - Mrs. Vincenzo; Jerome Thor - Judge Kellerman; Lawrence Tierney - Cameron; Graham Timbes - Detective; Bert Williams - Police Capt; David Hayman - Jack; Jerry Lazarus - Lawyer; Paul McCallum - Hog; Gerald Berns - Young Cop; Frank Bove - Guard; Charlie Brewer - Security Guard; Nancie Clark - Restaurant Patron; Linda Harwood - Waitress; Wheeler Henderson - Woman in Bathroom; David K. Johnston - Guard; John F. McCarthy - Patrol Cop; Paul McCauley - Bailiff; Tony Montero - Max; Daniel Nalleck - Lead Cop; Charles A. Nero - Liquor Clerk; Chris Stanley - Ambulance Attendant; Lisa Vice - Blonde; Brooks Wachtel - Maitre d'
Credit
Gail Morgan Hickman - Associate Producer, Jill Ireland - Co-producer, Shelley Komarov - Costume Designer, J. Lee Thompson - Director, Peter Lee-Thompson - Editor, Charles Simmons - Editor, Yoram Globus - Executive Producer, Menahem Golan - Executive Producer, Marc Donahue - Composer (Music Score), Valentine McCallum - Composer (Music Score), John Bishardt - Songwriter, Jim Cushinery - Songwriter, Paul McCallum - Songwriter, Kathleen Wilhoite - Songwriter, Lily Benyar - Makeup, William Cruse - Production Designer, Alex Phillips, Jr. - Cinematographer, Pancho Kohner - Producer, Whitney Brooke Wheeler - Set Designer, Gail Morgan Hickman - Screenwriter
Charles Bronson plays Jack Murphy, a hardened, antisocial LAPD detective who frequently escapes the harsh reality that his ex-wife, played by Angel Tompkins, has become a stripper and his career is going nowhere by drinking. His world is turned upside down, however, when he is framed by ex-convict Joan Freeman (Carrie Snodgress) for putting her in prison earlier in his career. Freeman murders his ex-wife and begins killing off his associates while framing him for the crimes. The same police force he works for places him under arrest with Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite), a petty thief he locked away. Murphy escapes from jail while still handcuffed to McGee and they begin to pursue the real killer.
Murphy's Law includes music by Marc Donahue and Valentine McCallum. It was photographed by Alex Phillips Jr.
