PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

(director: Michael Crichton; screenwriter: Bill Phillips/story by Steve Ransohoff]; cinematographer: John A. Alonzo; editor: Glenn Farr; music: Henry Mancini; cast:Burt Reynolds(Joe Paris), Theresa Russell ( Jenny Hudson), Ned Beatty ( James Nicks), Kay Lenz (Deborah Quin), Tom O’Brien (Matt Farley), Ted McGinley (Kyle); Runtime: 89; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Martin Ransohoff; Vestron Video (Columbia); 1989)

“Courtroom drama under the uneven direction of author-turned-director Michael Crichton.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

The sequel to Jagged Edge (1985) is an ill-served courtroom drama under the uneven direction of author-turned-director Michael Crichton(“Coma”/”Runaway”/”The Great Train Robbery”). It flopped at the box office despite interesting performances by co-stars Burt Reynolds and Theresa Russell. The story is by Steve Ransohoff and the muddled over-plotted script is by Bill Phillips.

Burt Reynolds is a hard-living ex-cop, suspended from the force because of his bad temper. He awakens from a drunken stupor to find himself accused of the murder of a notorious gangster even though he doesn’t remember committing the crime. Burt is unable to provide an alibi and the crime scene is filled with physical evidence against him, leaving him in big trouble. The self-destructive cop is defended by the ambitious yuppie public defender lawyer Theresa Russell, who is opposed by the conviction happy veteran prosecutor Ned Beatty.

Ted McGinley is the stockbroker boyfriend of Theresa, who grows antsy over the time she spends on the case.

REVIEWED ON 9/3/2015 GRADE: B-