Law and Disorder

I thought this was a decent film; not a classic, but entertaining enough. The basic premise for me is that sometimes you get in over your head trying to be something that you are not. Guess you'd call this a dark comedy. Excellent acting, gritty scenes of New York life when it wasn't so pleasant, and a shockingly brutal ending makes this worth a look.

Carroll O'Connor and Ernest Borgnine were two of the biggest stars in 1974. Even though Borgnine was ever-enshrined as Lt. Commander Quinton McHale, on his hugely successful TV sitcom, McHale's Navy (1962-1966), since then, he had been more prevalent and busy, with his successful film career up to this point, with huge film hits like the Dirty Dozen (1967), the Wild Bunch (1969), and the Poseidon Adventure (1972). O'Connor was, of course, enjoying the success of his hugely popular TV sitcom, All in the Family (1971-1979), that was beginning its season five, when Law and Disorder (1974), was released in theaters. This film utilized those popular aspects, that made these two guys famous, especially Archie's parenting/husband skills and McHale's ability, to lead miscreants into battle. They also are synonymous with comedy, so Law and Disorder (1974), immediately establishes itself as a comedy-drama, about two New York City guys, Cy, the hair-stylist (Borgnine) and Willie, the cabdriver (O'Connor).

Ann Wedgeworth plays O'Connor's wife, Sally. Karen Black plays Gloria, who works with Cy at the hair salon. She's nuts in this movie. Unfortunately, her character felt a little bit over-the-top, but if crazy is what the director, Ivan Passer wanted, he got that successfully. Alan Arbus has a small role in the film too. He's most famous for being Dr. Sydney Freeman on the highly successful TV-Sitcom, M*A*S*H (1972-1983). He plays a psychologist in Law and Disorder (1974), which is, almost, the same occupation as Dr. Freeman, already in his reoccurring, third season on M*A*S*H (1972-1983). Law and Disorder (1974), is a dark-comedy, with a hodgepodge of interesting characters, not really attempting to get you to like them, so don't look for anything, like character appreciation or vicarious inspiration. They are just trying to live their lives in the urban streets of 1970s New York.

After a slew of clever robberies, home-invasions, as well as, an old trench-coat flasher, the people of this New York City neighborhood, ask to join the civilian-led, Police Auxiliary Force, in order to help enforce the laws. Alan Arbus' Dr. Richter, has to teach a class-lecture on rape, to the new Police Auxiliary Force recruits. It's a comedy crime-drama, with a lot of 1970s street-talk. Being as it is the early 1970s, with a story about out-of-control, street crime, Law and Disorder (1974), does have sign-of-the-times humor and situations, that may be too intense for some sensitive, 21st century viewers. It is after all, rated-R for a reason, so keep the kids out of the room when watching this film. As Cy and Willie get their squad together, the film begins to resemble Police Academy (1984), which makes both men think, they may have made a huge mistake with this idea. But, despite that, they push along. The film starts to turn a little dramatic and dark in the last third of the story, with an ending I wasn't expecting.

PMTM Grade: 6.7 (C-) = 7 IMDB.

This is truly one of the best serio- comedies I have ever see! The edited version shown rarely on TV does not do this film justice. If you haven't seen the un-edited version, you're missing an outstanding film. I have been looking for this film for over 20 years, but no luck. I would love to see it again, but it is on "moratorium."

This movie is basically a slice-of-life drama about working class people trying to maintain some order when, as Hamlet said, "the time is out of joint". It's plotless and episodic, and the tone changes from broadly comic early on to utterly nightmarish by the end. It has tons of authentic New-York-in-the-'70's atmosphere (it would play well on a bill with TAKING OF PELHAM 123 or SERPICO), and was, of course, actually shot there. The racial tensions, the collapse of the system, the oddballs, the hopelessness -- they're all there. And the performances are quite good -- neither O'Connor nor Borgnine has ever been better.

If you know what to expect, you will probably enjoy it very much. There are a few negative reviews from people who were obviously expecting a straight comedy... that's not what this movie is.

It's a weird thing about this comedy-drama. I first saw it as a kid back in 1975 where it played almost constantly on HBO and was one of the first movies I ever recall seeing on cable TV. At the time I thought it was damn funny and ever since it became somewhat of a lost film until Anchor Bay released it to DVD several years ago. I couldn't wait to see it again. But when I finally revisited it on disc, I'd found that much of the magic had gone and I didn't think it held up quite as well. It's worth watching for sure if you're a fan of Carroll O'Connor or Ernest Borgnine, but still stacks up as kind of a slightly lost opportunity.

In this movie, O'Connor is a cab driver (and doing his usual Archie Bunker routine even though I think he was trying to prove he wasn't typecast) and Borgnine is his longtime best friend and a struggling hairdresser who owns his own salon (how's that for bizarre casting?). Karen Black is cast as Ernie's ditzy and belligerent employee, the best hair stylist he's able to find. Dwelling with their heads just barely above water in a typical '70s crime-infested New York City, the men become fed up with it all and decide to become auxiliary cops in order to help straighten the neighborhood out from the wrath of drug dealers, burglars and street scum. They get more than they bargained for in the end, which is the best part of the film, and a very strong climax.

While this team-up would seem to be a sure-fire winning combination and set-up, the "story" as it's presented is practically non-existent and all over the place, which is kind of a shame. Golden moments and funnies do show up in odd places, but these share the screen time with all sorts of plot holes and different, undeveloped ideas. Worth a watch anyway if you can see it, but this could have been a lot better. **1/2 out of ****