Stakeout, released in theaters on August 5, 1987, is a classic ’80s film that masterfully blends the buddy-cop comedy genre with a genuine romantic thriller. The movie stars Richard Dreyfuss as Detective Chris Lecce and Emilio Estevez as his partner, Detective Bill Reimers.
The two are assigned to a routine stakeout: to watch the home of Maria McGuire (Madeleine Stowe), an attractive woman who is believed to be in contact with her dangerous and escaped convict boyfriend, Richard “Stick” Montgomery (Aidan Quinn).
While Lecce and Reimers are watching the house, Lecce finds himself captivated by Maria. He decides to break protocol, creating a fake identity to get close to her. This leads to a whirlwind romance, even as the risk of “Stick” Montgomery’s return looms.
The detectives must deal with the antics of their fellow officers, including the seasoned detective Phil Coldshanks (Forest Whitaker) and Dan Lauria, who provide comedic relief. The tension builds as Stick gets closer to Maria, and Lecce’s personal and professional lives collide in a series of dramatic and dangerous encounters.
The film’s strength lies in the incredible chemistry between its three leads as Dreyfuss and Estevez have a natural, comedic rapport that is a joy to watch, and their banter is a hallmark of the buddy-cop genre while Stowe is captivating and perfectly embodies the woman at the center of the conflict.
Quinn is a truly menacing villain, and his presence adds a real sense of danger.
Director John Badham‘s pacing is excellent, balancing the lighthearted comedy with the high-stakes suspense of the plot.
Stakeout (Photo/Touchstone Pictures)
Reception for Stakeout
Stakeout grossed $ million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind The Living Daylights ($7.7 million).
The film would move up to No. 1 the following week and remain in the top spot for five weeks en route to grossing $65.7 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Stakeout is known as a timeless and highly successful example of a genre mashup done right. It’s a film that is just as funny as it is thrilling.
It’s remembered for its witty dialogue, a clever plot, and a charismatic cast.
Stakeout solidified the careers of its leads and proved that a genre film could have both a heart and a sense of humor.
The film’s success led to a sequel Another Stakeout, and it remains a beloved classic for fans of both comedy and suspense.
