Short Time (released in theaters on May 4, 1990) follows Burt Simpson (Dabney Coleman), a hyper-cautious police detective who is exactly eight days away from a peaceful retirement. Burt is a man who lives by the book, terrified of any risk that might prevent him from collecting his pension. However, a massive laboratory mix-up leads Burt to believe he has a rare, terminal disease and only days to live.
Distraught but determined to provide for his ex-wife Carolyn (Teri Garr) and their son, he discovers that his life insurance policy contains a crucial loophole: it pays out a fortune if he dies in the line of duty, but nothing if he dies of natural causes.
Suddenly, the world’s most cowardly cop transforms into a suicidal daredevil. Burt begins throwing himself into the most dangerous situations imaginable, much to the bewilderment of his loyal partner Ernie (Matt Frewer).
From high-speed chases to shootouts with ruthless arms dealers like Carl Stark (Xander Berkeley), Burt tries every reckless stunt possible to get himself “killed.”
Along the way, he crosses paths with his hard-nosed captain (Barry Corbin) and a shady informant (Joe Pantoliano), all while miraculously surviving every death-defying encounter.
The comedy peaks as Burt becomes a local hero for the very bravery he is only performing out of a desperate desire to die for a paycheck.
Short Time (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Short Time
Short Time grossed $1.2 million on its opening weekend, finishing tenth at the box office. The top film of the week was Pretty Woman, which earned $6.8 million on its seventh weekend.
The film would gross $4.1 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Short Time‘s legacy is rooted in its unique tonal balance, blending the pitch-black humor of a man seeking his own demise with genuine heart and 1990s action spectacle.
It serves as a definitive showcase for Coleman, allowing him to transition from his trademark “grumpy professional” persona into a manic, physical comedy lead.
While it arrived at the tail end of the 80s-style buddy-cop boom, it distinguished itself by satirizing the “invincible hero” trope – Burt is only invincible because he no longer cares about living.
The movie remains a beloved cult classic for its inventive premise and its surprisingly poignant message about finding the courage to live only after accepting death.
Short Time paved the way for later dark comedies that found humor in mortality, proving that a morbid concept could still produce a crowd-pleasing, high-octane riot.
