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A racist cop receives a heart transplant from a black lawyer he hates, who returns as a ghost to ask the cop to help take down the men who murdered him.A racist cop receives a heart transplant from a black lawyer he hates, who returns as a ghost to ask the cop to help take down the men who murdered him.A racist cop receives a heart transplant from a black lawyer he hates, who returns as a ghost to ask the cop to help take down the men who murdered him.
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This little known fantasy action comedy released in 1990 is most notable for being an early screen appearance of Denzel Washington. Savaged by critics upon release, it has the distinguished honor of being one of a handful of films with a stunning 0% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Misunderstood by critics and audiences alike at the time it came out, I think this film deserves to be reappraised. It's a great film, entertaining, funny, interesting for the concept alone, and maybe even a little moving depending on the mood you're in.
This film is weird though, for sure. It tries to be a little bit of everything: A buddy cop movie, a comedy, a romantic drama, and an action movie. It actually succeeds, at least somewhat, even if it's not perfect. I totally get the hate for this movie, I understand why it was savaged, and maybe it's just my love of Denzel that makes me soft to this, but I didn't mind it.
This film occurred during Denzel's strange string of films during his rise to success in the 80s and 90s. Denzel was obviously being nudged in the action star direction by his agent, which makes sense looking at his early career. It seems like for every successful, important film he did, he did another less successful, more exploitative action/thriller film; Mo' Better Blues/Heart Condition (1990), Mississippi Masala/Ricochet (1991), Much Ado About Nothing/The Pelican Brief (1993), Devil in a Blue Dress/Crimson Tide/Virtuosity (1995), He Got Game/The Siege (1998), The Hurricane/The Bone Collector (1999). Notice the pattern? Basically Denzel made a lot of great underrated films on his rise to success.
Bob Hoskins and Denzel Washington are both great in their roles, and Denzel is definitely likable even if his character is supposed to be sleazy and despicable. Hoskins isn't exactly likable, at least until halfway through the movie, but he does grow on you, and both actors definitely elevate the material above a dumb made-for-TV piece of crap.
This is described as an action comedy, but it's definitely more of a comedy with action in it. There're two action scenes, the car and foot chase in the beginning, and the final shootout. In between it's basically comedic dialogue and romantic drama. The film's drawn-out climax definitely feels like it belongs in another movie, and Hoskins isn't the first actor I'd've picked to see in a shootout (then again, I wouldn't've picked Denzel to play an obnoxious but funny ghost).
The movie's main problem is its tonal shifts. Any genre-hybrid movies will often have this problem, and this film does too. A light fantasy comedy sometimes, a heavy drama at others, and the violent climax all don't fit incredibly well-together, but it's fun so who cares? It just gave itself too many things to juggle at once, and a film shouldn't have to work too hard to achieve its purpose.
You have to go into this movie with low expectations, like me, and you'll probably be surprised, or you just have to be in a good mood.
This film is weird though, for sure. It tries to be a little bit of everything: A buddy cop movie, a comedy, a romantic drama, and an action movie. It actually succeeds, at least somewhat, even if it's not perfect. I totally get the hate for this movie, I understand why it was savaged, and maybe it's just my love of Denzel that makes me soft to this, but I didn't mind it.
This film occurred during Denzel's strange string of films during his rise to success in the 80s and 90s. Denzel was obviously being nudged in the action star direction by his agent, which makes sense looking at his early career. It seems like for every successful, important film he did, he did another less successful, more exploitative action/thriller film; Mo' Better Blues/Heart Condition (1990), Mississippi Masala/Ricochet (1991), Much Ado About Nothing/The Pelican Brief (1993), Devil in a Blue Dress/Crimson Tide/Virtuosity (1995), He Got Game/The Siege (1998), The Hurricane/The Bone Collector (1999). Notice the pattern? Basically Denzel made a lot of great underrated films on his rise to success.
Bob Hoskins and Denzel Washington are both great in their roles, and Denzel is definitely likable even if his character is supposed to be sleazy and despicable. Hoskins isn't exactly likable, at least until halfway through the movie, but he does grow on you, and both actors definitely elevate the material above a dumb made-for-TV piece of crap.
This is described as an action comedy, but it's definitely more of a comedy with action in it. There're two action scenes, the car and foot chase in the beginning, and the final shootout. In between it's basically comedic dialogue and romantic drama. The film's drawn-out climax definitely feels like it belongs in another movie, and Hoskins isn't the first actor I'd've picked to see in a shootout (then again, I wouldn't've picked Denzel to play an obnoxious but funny ghost).
The movie's main problem is its tonal shifts. Any genre-hybrid movies will often have this problem, and this film does too. A light fantasy comedy sometimes, a heavy drama at others, and the violent climax all don't fit incredibly well-together, but it's fun so who cares? It just gave itself too many things to juggle at once, and a film shouldn't have to work too hard to achieve its purpose.
You have to go into this movie with low expectations, like me, and you'll probably be surprised, or you just have to be in a good mood.
Hollywood has been exploited this thematic buddy comedy where the living interacts with dead ones countless times, likewise GHOST, MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK, DEAD HEAT, 18 AGAIN just to name a few, this time shorty-fat-sloppy cop Bob Hoskins that used to be eat crap food, smoking hard and also drinking while pursuing a black lawyer Denzel Washington in service of an infamous pimp-gangster who has his former girlfriend Chloe Webb as prostitute, due his bad health behavior and strenuous job allied a mental strain he ends up at hospital on heat attack, guess is the heart donor, yes nothing less the fancy black lawyer Washington, dead by suspicious circumstances.
Upon learning such outrageous news the bigoted cop going mad than never, now nolens volens Bob has to dealing with Washington's shadow wherever he goes, worst such ghost demands a help to find out a clue that might lead the slippery pimp in the jail, in return he offers an aid to get back his naïve girlfriend, nonetheless everything went upside down when the jealous cop discover that his beloved Chloe has a little child of the womanizer Washington, well it's an average comedy, somehow the prearranged formula did work out plenty, although nothing despicable whatsoever.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1999 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.25.
Upon learning such outrageous news the bigoted cop going mad than never, now nolens volens Bob has to dealing with Washington's shadow wherever he goes, worst such ghost demands a help to find out a clue that might lead the slippery pimp in the jail, in return he offers an aid to get back his naïve girlfriend, nonetheless everything went upside down when the jealous cop discover that his beloved Chloe has a little child of the womanizer Washington, well it's an average comedy, somehow the prearranged formula did work out plenty, although nothing despicable whatsoever.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1999 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 6.25.
Not many shootouts no car chases but a few funny bits ok doesn't sound like the best film ever but its not that bad. Bob Hoskins plays detective Jack Mooney one night he has a heart attack and has to have a heart transplant sadly for him the heart of his worst enemy is the only one available.
As "Heart Condition" was made at roughly the same time as "Ghost", it was not a "copy". It ("Heart Condition") isn't a "love story" (as "Ghost" is), which let it's comedic portrayal overshadow "Ghost", in my opinion.
GREAT movie!
GREAT movie!
The tale concerns about Mooney , a bigoted police officer (Bob Hoskins) from Los Angeles who has problems with his captain(Roger E. Mosley). Mooney pursues a debonair ,elegant though mobster black lawyer(Denzel Washington) named Stone whose slogan is live fully while you may reckon not the cost . When Stone is dating his ex-fiancée (Chloe Webb) is seen by Mooney . Soon afterwards Stone is shot and deceased , meanwhile Mooney suddenly suffers a stroke . When he wakes , the Stone's heart has been transplanted and his ghost is now his constant companion , hoping the cop will help to avenge his killing .
The picture is a fantastic action/comedy in which there are suspense , humor, an enjoyable romance, bemusing fantasy and results to be quite entertaining . However , the screenplay is sometimes ridiculous, drags in some places and full of unlikely situations . The protagonist duo is good , as nice acting by Bob Hoskins in a comic role such as in ¨ Roger Rabbit (Robert Zemeckis)¨ , nevertheless he usually plays dramatic characters (¨ Neal Jordan's Monalisa¨) , Denzel Washington is fine but his specialty turns out to be the strong and tough roles . The production film is in charge of ¨New Line Cinema (Robert Shaye)¨ ,nowadays an important producing company with enormous success . The motion picture is regularly directed by James D. Parriott. The flick will appeal to Denzel Washington fans and fantastic comedy lovers. Rating : Acceptable, passable and amusing.
The picture is a fantastic action/comedy in which there are suspense , humor, an enjoyable romance, bemusing fantasy and results to be quite entertaining . However , the screenplay is sometimes ridiculous, drags in some places and full of unlikely situations . The protagonist duo is good , as nice acting by Bob Hoskins in a comic role such as in ¨ Roger Rabbit (Robert Zemeckis)¨ , nevertheless he usually plays dramatic characters (¨ Neal Jordan's Monalisa¨) , Denzel Washington is fine but his specialty turns out to be the strong and tough roles . The production film is in charge of ¨New Line Cinema (Robert Shaye)¨ ,nowadays an important producing company with enormous success . The motion picture is regularly directed by James D. Parriott. The flick will appeal to Denzel Washington fans and fantastic comedy lovers. Rating : Acceptable, passable and amusing.
Did you know
- TriviaIt was long rumored that Denzel Washington was allegedly talked into making this film by his agent. He also allegedly fired him shortly afterwards because of how terrible the reception for it was. However, in 2017 Washington's publicist was asked about this "fact" in a story on the movie at 'The Ringer' and stated for the record that the rumor was not and never had been true.
- GoofsWhen Mooney and Stone's mother are standing at the foot of the bed and Mooney opens his shirt, you can see Stone's mother's hand on his chest, but in the next shot, she is just now reaching for his chest.
- Quotes
[Stone, now in spirit form, sneezes]
Jack Moony: How can you be sick? You're dead!
Napoleon Stone: It's psychological.
[Moony laughs]
Napoleon Stone: What's so funny?
Jack Moony: A hypochondriac spook.
- SoundtracksUzube Nami Baba
Performed by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Published by Shissa International
Courtesy of Gallo GRC Records
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Heart Condition
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,134,992
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,149,786
- Feb 4, 1990
- Gross worldwide
- $4,134,992
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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