Internal Affairs (1990)

Every once in a while, we are going to introduce a segment on the blog that is called Sheldon's Choice which is basically a list of films that my fell film connoisseur friend of mine has recommended to me to watch. Today's film is one of those choices as I chose to watch the 1990 film Internal Affairs which I viewed with my VCR for throwback Thursday. Richard Gere (An Officer and A Gentlemen) stars as Los Angeles cop Dennis Peck, a guy who is a veteran and certainly knows his ins and outs of what he can and can't do or I should say get away with when it comes to the law. Andy Garcia (The Godfather: Part III) as new Internal Affairs officer Raymond Avilla, who while investigating a fellow cop in Van Stretch (William Baldwin) who happens to be Peck's partner leads Avilla on Peck's trail as he tries to take him down for good. The film also stars Nancy Travis (So I Married An Axe Murderer) as Kathleen Avilla, Laurie Metclaf (Roseanne) as Amy Wallace, Faye Grant (V) as Penny, Michael Beach (Aquaman) as Dorian Fletcher, John Kapelos (The Breakfast Club) as Steven Arrocas, Katherine Borowitz (Baby Boom) as Toya Arrocas, Richard Bradford (The Legend Of Billie Jean) as Grieb, and the film was directed by Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas).

One thing is for absolute certain and that is after watching a film like this you can't help by tip your hat to Richard Gere who just absolutely stole the show. Every time he steps on the screen, he just absolutely takes over and shows you why he was picked to play a dirty cop who believes 100% that what he is doing is right. Then you have Andy Garcia playing opposite of him and it's a showdown to see who acted the best and quite frankly both men did well in what they were doing. The writing in the film was done very well especially all of the subplots that we see unfold in front of our very eyes and the mind games that Gere’s character plays is tremendous as well and that’s all due to the writing. Well, you can also credit his acting as well as he pulled off playing an arrogant prick with everything to lose like the best of them. It was funny watching this on VHS because it felt the same as if I was listening to a record on a Vinyl record player, it brings back those nostalgic feelings that get you all warm inside as you think of happier and simpler times. This was definitely a film that is worth watching especially if you want to see some brilliant acting from Garcia, Gere, and co. The cinematpgraphy is great, the acting was great, and this had some great writing which means that I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade.