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Short Time

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Dabney Coleman in Short Time (1990)
When a police detective thinks he is dying and learns that his life insurance pays out more if he dies in the line of duty, he tries to make that happen.
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59 Photos
Buddy CopSlapstickActionComedyCrimeDrama

When a police detective thinks he is dying and learns that his life insurance pays out more if he dies in the line of duty, he tries to make that happen.When a police detective thinks he is dying and learns that his life insurance pays out more if he dies in the line of duty, he tries to make that happen.When a police detective thinks he is dying and learns that his life insurance pays out more if he dies in the line of duty, he tries to make that happen.

  • Director
    • Gregg Champion
  • Writers
    • John Blumenthal
    • Michael Berry
  • Stars
    • Dabney Coleman
    • Matt Frewer
    • Teri Garr
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    2.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Gregg Champion
    • Writers
      • John Blumenthal
      • Michael Berry
    • Stars
      • Dabney Coleman
      • Matt Frewer
      • Teri Garr
    • 25User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

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    Trailer 2:02
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    Photos59

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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Dabney Coleman
    Dabney Coleman
    • Det. Burt Simpson
    Matt Frewer
    Matt Frewer
    • Det. Ernie Dills
    Teri Garr
    Teri Garr
    • Carolyn Simpson
    Barry Corbin
    Barry Corbin
    • Captain Harding
    Joe Pantoliano
    Joe Pantoliano
    • Scalese
    Xander Berkeley
    Xander Berkeley
    • Carl Stark
    Rob Roy
    • Det. Dan Miller
    Kaj-Erik Eriksen
    Kaj-Erik Eriksen
    • Dougie Simpson
    Tony Pantages
    • Vito
    Sam Malkin
    • Hostage Man
    Wes Tritter
    • Coffin Salesman
    Kim Kondrashoff
    • Michael Lutz
    Paul Jarrett
    Paul Jarrett
    • Jonas Lutz
    Dee Jay Jackson
    • Spivak
    • (as Deejay Jackson)
    Paul Batten
    • Dr. Goldman
    Kevin McNulty
    Kevin McNulty
    • Dr. Drexler
    Shawn Clements
    • Older Dougie
    Betty Phillips
    Betty Phillips
    • Clerk
    • Director
      • Gregg Champion
    • Writers
      • John Blumenthal
      • Michael Berry
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    6.42.8K
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    Featured reviews

    10jcradio

    Great Movie

    This is truly one of the funniest movies, I've seen. I used to watch it several times a week. I highly recommend this one if you like offbeat comedies. One of the funniest things was something I didn't even notice the first three times I saw it...What you ask? The names of the main characters...Burt and Ernie. That's right folks, the two cops are named after two of your favorite childhood friends. ENJOY!!
    8ODDBear

    It's not easy getting yourself killed

    A police detective learns he is dying from a disease and decides to get himself killed in the line of duty so his wife and son can receive a handsome sum of money upon his demise. But getting himself killed is way harder than he thought. Although the film slows way too much down in the second half and gets overly sentimental there's more than a fair share of laughs to compensate. Dabney Coleman is terrific as usual and the rest of the cast support him well. Well worth catching.
    twokiloseven

    Hard to find but well worth the search!

    I first saw this movie First Choice (at the time Canada's HBO) in the early 90's and immediately fell in love with it. Now in my mid 30's I have been lucky enough to find it on DVD to add to my collection. I am very happy as I understand that it is a hard to find DVD and I stumbled across it on amazon one day.

    If you are lucky enough to be able to view this movie on DVD or on cable or whatever, have a look. I think just about anybody could enjoy this film as it is able to be very entertaining without being overly vulgar or violent.

    This is a funny story about a cop who's physical results are mixed up with another patient and he is told that he is going to die in a short time. He then finds out that his life insurance only pays out if he dies on the job. You can imagine where it goes from there. This movie is funny from start to finish and is worth a look from any movie fan.
    7joellen835

    a fun movie

    This movie is plain, simple, fun. It doesn't leave you breathless with suspense, or on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding. But for those who don't enjoy all the smut, violence, and potty mouth movies we've been inundated with in the past several years, its a winner. Dabney Coleman plays the part well. First, he is soon to retire from police work, and understandably doesn't want to risk his neck and lose it just before he retires. However, this all changes when he is told he has just a short time to live. Wanting nothing more than to leave his family some security, he begins his unsuccessful quest to get himself killed on the job, only to find out its harder than he thought it would be. This is a movie that does not require anyone to swim through the gray area of a controversial issue. It's just plain entertaining.
    7petersjoelen

    the humor could have been better

    Burt Coleman is a police officer who is about to retire and is of course extra careful to prevent anything from happening to him before then, that all changes when he is accidentally diagnosed with a terminal illness during a routine check-up at the hospital and he wrongly thinks he only has a few days to live.

    However, for the payment of his police life insurance he has to die in service so he takes all the risks and takes on the most dangerous police tasks to ensure that his family can collect the insurance money.

    Often more drama than humor but the humor moments are entertaining.

    Otherwise a somewhat different buddy cop film with some spectacular chases but not too exaggerated.

    Terri garr is as always good casted as his wife.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The building at the climax of the movie is the same one used in the climax of True Lies : Le Caméléon (1994) and many of the shots are similar to this later film.
    • Goofs
      During the car chase underneath the elevated roadway, even the other cars not involved in the chase are running the stop signs.
    • Quotes

      Captain: And any short time goof-off that doesn't bust his ass to bring this guy in, is going to be as popular around this precinct as a reggae band at a Ku Klux Klan rally.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Q & A/Spaced Invaders/The Guardian/Monsieur Hire (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      Roll With It
      Performed by Steve Winwood & Kaj-Erik Eriksen

      Written by Steve Winwood (uncredited), Will Jennings (uncredited), Eddie Holland (uncredited), Brian Holland (uncredited) and Lamont Dozier (uncredited)

      Courtesy of Virgin Records Limited

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Short Time?Powered by Alexa
    • Cannot believe this CLASSIC COMEDY has yet to re-released in DVD region 1 format.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 4, 1990 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zoraki Kahraman
    • Filming locations
      • New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada(chase scene)
    • Production company
      • Gladden Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,010,647
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,237,211
      • May 6, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,010,647
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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