The January Man,released on Jan. 13, 1989, is a darkly comedic thriller that boasts a stellar cast and a unique blend of humor and suspense but ultimately struggles to find its footing.
Kevin Kline delivers a captivating performance as Nick Starkey, a disgraced ex-cop brought back to the force to help his police commissioner brother (Harvey Keitel), hunt down a serial killer terrorizing New York City.
The film’s strength lies in its unexpected twists and turns, and the interplay between its eccentric characters.
Kevin Kline, Alan Rickman and Mary Elizabeth Mastriantonio (Photo/MGM)
The stellar supporting cast, including Alan Rickman (Die Hard), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Scarface), Danny Aiello, Rod Steiger, and Susan Sarandon, shines brightly, each contributing to the film’s unique and darkly humorous tone.
The January Man is a film that defies easy categorization. However, the film suffers from an uneven tone. It attempts to blend dark humor with suspense and romance, often resulting in a jarring and disjointed experience. The film’s satirical edge, while occasionally sharp, often feels forced and uneven.
The screenplay is from John Patrick Shanley, who won an Academy Award for writing Moonstruck and would go on to pen such films as Joe vs the Volcano, Alive and Congo.
Reception for The January Man
The January Man grossed $1.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 11 at the domestic box office. The top films at the box office that week were Rain Man, Twins, Beaches, The Accidental Tourist, Working Girl and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
The film grossed $4.6 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film one out of four stars in his review, saying “The January Man is worth study as a film that fails to find its tone. It’s all over the map. It wants to be zany but violent, satirical but slapstick, romantic but cynical…and it wants all of these things to happen at the same time.”
The January Man currently holds a 28% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Legacy
The January Man is a film with a lot of potential, but ultimately fails to fully capitalize on its talented cast and intriguing premise. It’s an entertaining enough watch, but it’s likely to leave some viewers feeling a bit unsatisfied.
