“Stakeout” is a crime comedy film released in 1987, directed by John Badham. The movie stars Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez as two detectives who are assigned to conduct a stakeout on a house in order to apprehend a dangerous escaped convict.
The plot follows Chris Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss) and Bill Reimers (Emilio Estevez), two seasoned detectives with the Seattle Police Department. They are tasked with keeping watch on the house of Maria McGuire (Madeleine Stowe), the ex-girlfriend of a notorious criminal named Richard “Stick” Montgomery (Aidan Quinn), who has escaped from prison.
As Chris and Bill settle into their uneventful stakeout routine, they begin to observe Maria’s everyday life. However, Chris becomes intrigued by Maria and starts to develop feelings for her, leading to some personal conflicts and awkward moments during their surveillance.
To complicate matters further, Stick eventually shows up at Maria’s house, and the stakeout turns into a high-stakes operation as the detectives try to capture the dangerous fugitive. As the situation intensifies, Chris and Bill find themselves in unexpected and humorous predicaments, creating a comedic dynamic between the two partners.
“Stakeout” strikes a balance between crime drama and comedy, providing audiences with thrilling action sequences and witty banter between the characters. The film’s humor derives from the camaraderie and bickering between the mismatched detectives as they navigate the complexities of their professional and personal lives.
Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez showcase their comedic talents and chemistry, making them a memorable duo onscreen. Madeleine Stowe adds depth to her character, providing an interesting dynamic to the detectives’ relationship and their motivations.
The film received positive reviews upon its release and became a commercial success. Its blend of action, humor, and romance resonated with audiences, leading to the creation of a sequel, “Another Stakeout,” in 1993, which reunited Dreyfuss and Estevez.
“Stakeout” remains a beloved touchstone in the crime comedy genre, offering a delightful and entertaining mix of thrilling moments and laugh-out-loud humor. It stands as a reminder of the charm and chemistry of its lead actors and their ability to bring both excitement and laughter to the big screen.
Additional Details
- Movie Studio: Touchstone Pictures
- Year Released: 1987
- Type of Movie: Live Action
- Box Office: $65.67 million
- IMDB Link
Cast
- Richard Dreyfuss: Det. Chris Lecce
- Emilio Estevez: Det. Bill Reimers
- Aidan Quinn: Richard “Stick” Montgomery
- Madeleine Stowe: Maria McGuire
- Forest Whitaker: Det. Jack Pismo
- Dan Lauria: Det. Phil Coldshank
- Earl Billings: Capt. Giles
- Ian Tracey: Caylor Reese
- Jackson Davies: FBI Agent Lusk
Crew
- Director: John Badham
- Producer: Jim Kouf and Cathleen Summers
- Music: Arthur B. Rubinstein