We decide on a seem back at the underappreciated 1991 buddy cop classic, The Tough Way, starring Michael J. Fox and James Woods.

The 80s and 90s have been a excellent time for character actors. Fellas like Gene Hackman, Brian Dennehy, Christopher Walken, John Lithgow, Morgan Freeman and a lot of other men and women occupied this actually fascinating spot the location they could lead their person videos and be just as at ease actively playing supporting roles – no matter irrespective of whether important or modest – in bigger films with out getting stressing about points legit motion image stars have to, this sort of as bankability. Of that period, just one particular of the greatest character actors was no doubt the quick-speaking James Woods. In the eighties, his star rose numerous thanks to flicks like Videodrome, Salvador, Genuine Believer and numerous other folks. When he under no circumstances turned a legit box workplace superstar, he was in that marketplace location exactly where by he could direct his private motion images, these types of as the underrated Most powerful Vendor, though also participating in plum supporting roles in films like Chaplin, The Professional and On line casino. He was talked about as one particular specific of the town’s most important scene-stealers, and he was so beloved that he was invited to voice himself on not one particular but two iconic animated sitcoms, The Simpsons and Spouse and youngsters Person. 

Yet, in 2024, when you say the determine James Woods, men and women these days really feel of a Twitter blowhard fairly than the wonderful actor we all regarded him to be once again in the day. 1 draw back to the reversal of fortune to his profession is that lots of of his films under no circumstances get a terrific deal of carry out now, no concern how entertaining they are, these as this week’s Most powerful Film You Never ever Observed: The Challenging Way.

This 1991 motion-comedy teamed Woods with Michael J. Fox for their take into consideration on the fundamental buddy-cop thriller, with a twist. Only one particular specific of the buddies is primarily a cop, with James Woods’ hardboiled New York detective, John Moss, having pressured to take into consideration a Mel Gibson-style motion star, Nick Lang, under his wing to show him what remaining a cop is certainly about. The technique was primarily spoofed by Woods himself on a famed episode of The Simpsons when he goes to carry out at the Kwik-E-Mart to prepare for a part. The film is directed by 1 of the biggest directors of the era, John Badham, who’s shockingly obscure these days even with churning out strike quickly just after strike for about 15 a number of years. I recommend, Saturday Night time Fever, Blue Thunder, WarGames (starring the late Dabney Coleman), Stakeout – these are iconic flicks! Yet, it appears like everybody regularly forgets who directed them.

The Really tough Way adopted one particular much more action comedy he produced the yr ahead of, Fowl on a Wire, which co-starred Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. Fox’s Nick Lang appears to be a loving parody of Gibson, with him normally mentioning Gibson as his box workplace nemesis and sporting a very Gibson-model ponytail, which he wore in Bird on a Wire. 

In The Difficult Way, Fox’s Nick Lang is coming off a sequel to his greatest hit, Smoking Gun, and is fed up with not getting taken critically as an actor. He terribly desires to star in a difficult-boiled cop film, but the studio does not take into consideration he has the depth wanted, so he buys his way into an apprenticeship with Woods’ Moss. The only concern is that Moss has no interest by any implies in babysitting Lang, with him on the path of a psycho serial killer named The Celebration Crasher, who’s performed by an unhinged (and jacked) Stephen Lang. 

There are a terrific deal of really fantastic causes why The Challenging Way performs. For a single detail, Badham expertly juggles the movie’s tone. He was recognised to be an specialist as considerably as motion comedies went, with Stakeout, Hen on a Wire and this one particular commonly applying the action seriously, with the comedy emerging from the mismatched chemistry of its stars rather than heightened or silly shenanigans. The action scenes in The Difficult Way are shockingly effective, with Woods slimmed down for his shot at at the moment getting an motion star and developing a convincing and intense hero. The identical matter goes for Fox’s Nick Lang, who hardly ever will come to be a joke. Absolutely positive, he’s a weakling when the film commences, but as it goes on, he outcomes in getting tougher and considerably much more heroic, with him getting a excellent motion sequence precisely exactly where he pretends to be completely unhinged (in Mel Gibson-style) when he’s taken hostage by The Social gathering Crasher, turning the tables on him in a fascinating, but not entirely unbelievable way. Lang also tends to make for a seriously excellent villain, with him legitimately terrifying as the insane killer they are quickly just after, and he and Woods have a handful of seriously terrific fights.

Certainly, the film is so nicely strong. Whilst Woods wasn’t anyone’s believed of an motion hero, presented how his swiftly-conversing character commonly had a narcissistic/ villainous edge to it, casting him against kind seriously functions. Moss is intended to be an insecure, macho mess of a particular person, with him attempting to woo a divorcee (played by the fairly Annabella Sciorra) whose daughter (a seriously youthful Christina Ricci) hates him. The practically psychotic vigour he assaults his responsibilities with can make him an fascinating lead, and the reality that he’s not an invincible Superman can make him all the considerably much more pleasing. His attitude is what tends to make the motion image, in my view. Michael J. Fox is just as really excellent, even if, in my viewpoint, this is Woods’ film. Once once again, Nick Lang is wimpy – at 1st – but does not turn out to be far also a terrific deal of a joke. Fox brings some heart to the part, this sort of as a heartbreaking minute precisely exactly where he thinks Moss has taken the wrap for him on a taking images but was just getting established up as a punchline and a way to get him out of the precinct even although they concentrate on the actual function. Their chemistry is terrific, with Woods noting numerous occasions, when advertising the film, that he situated it difficult taking aspect in a character that is supposed to be irritated by Fox, as he observed him fairly likable as a co-star.

In truth, Fox’s likability could have been what doomed the film at the box enterprise workplace, as in ’91, he was identified for his spouse and youngsters-useful fare. As a kid, I retain in thoughts gearing up to see The Tricky Way in theaters but then remaining not capable to go owing to the R-rating and how strictly the guidelines have been enforced in Canada at the time. I did see it on video clip, and constructive sufficient, the non-quit F-bombs and hardcore violence developed it an instantaneous classic for my motion-junkie 10-12 months-outdated self. Regrettably, it whiffed at the box location of function, only grossing $25 million domestically. That stated, it was in truth a strike abroad, with it more than doubling its lacklustre box location of function. It also grew to come to be a strike on house video clip and Television set, oddly bypassing HBO to have a Television debut (in a really censored model) on NBC, which aired generally and posted blockbuster ratings. 

Looking at it now, the film holds up rather nicely, largely numerous thanks to the acting, the sophisticated course, and a great supporting forged that consists of an early part for Delroy Lindo as Woods’ star-struck captain and LL Neat J as a cop. Interestingly, LL Amazing J was only supposed to have a stroll-on function as section of a deal to buy “Mama Reported Knock You Out” for the soundtrack, but he was these types of a organic as an actor that Badham expanded his objective to co-star status. Ironically, LL Interesting J is now arguably far superior identified as an actor than a rapper.

Although some may perhaps possibly not rush to dig into James Woods’ cinematic oeuvre in the wake of his on line persona, I envision he’s wonderful in this film, and it holds up completely much more than 30 yrs due to the truth its release. If you have not noticed it, give it a shot.