80's Month Day 13: Three Fugitives

Thirteen days into "80's Month" and today's film is Three Fugitives, a 1989 comedy-drama starring Nick Nolte and Martin Short.

The plot involves and convict named Daniel Lucas (played by Nolte) who has been in prison for 5yrs after committing 14 armed robberies. However, on the day he is released, he stops by a bank and gets taken hostage by an amature criminal named Ned Perry (played by Short) who is robbing the bank. Not a career criminal like Lucas, Ned is only robbing the bank to get money for treatment for his ill, young daughter, Meg.

Unfortunately for Lucas, a local detective (played by James Earl Jones) assumes that he must be in on the robbery due to his criminal history, and that the whole hostage thing is just an act. From here there are several car chases, all sorts of mishaps (like Ned accidentally shooting Lucas in the leg), a veterinarian with dementia who thinks Lucas is a dog, Ned constantly ignoring Lucas' expert advice, etc. Of course while avoiding the law, the two form an unlikely partnership primarily because Meg takes a liking to Lucas. Eventually, the trio makes a run for Canada and all appears to end well with Lucas saying goodbye to Meg while Ned is exchanging currency. However, Ned ends up being taken hostage by a bank robber in the same manner he originally kidnapped Lucas, and a classic 80's freeze-frame ending closes out the film.

While there are some good moments in the movie, I wouldn't call it a good movie as a whole. Nick Nolte is OK, and Martin Short gets a laugh or two but it's not either one's strongest performance.

If it sounds interesting to you then check it out but, overall, I don't recommend it.

I give it a 1.5 out of 5.

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