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Trailer

The Hard Way

1991Movie1 h 51 minR

Comedy
63
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.4Letterboxd3.2/5

A thrilling, tense action movie about show business and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · friends night · party vibe

Where to watch

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Not for scares or big ideas.

Movies with

Story

There's only one way these two are going to get along...

Seeking to raise his credibility as an actor and to land a role as a tough cop on a new show, Hollywood action star Nick Lang works a deal with New York City Police Capt. Brix, who by chance is one of his fans. Nick will be paired with detective Lt. John Moss and learn how to act like a real cop. But when Nick drives John crazy with questions and imitating him, he gets in the way of John's pursuit of a serial killer.

Feels like

  • Action Comedy
  • Buddy Cop
  • Showbiz Satire
  • Celebrity
  • Serial Killer
  • New York City
  • Caper
  • Over-the-Top
  • Crime Investigation

Cast

24 of 38

Crew

Directed by
John Badham
Written by
Lem Dobbs, Daniel Pyne, Michael Kozoll
Produced by
Rob Cohen, Lem Dobbs, William Sackheim
Music by
Arthur B. Rubinstein

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 8, 1991 · 1 h 51 min · R

Released
March 8, 1991
Runtime
1 h 51 min
Age rating
R
Content
Violence
Genres
Action, Comedy, Crime
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$24 million
Box office
$66 million
Available in
57 countries

Tropes

Typecasting, Cowboy Cop, It's All About Me +9

  • Typecasting
  • Cowboy Cop
  • It's All About Me
  • It's Personal
  • Madness Mantra
  • Disney Villain Death
  • Comedic Sociopathy
  • What You Are in the Dark
  • Mood Whiplash
  • Nouveau Riche
  • Tom Hanks Syndrome
  • Be Careful What You Wish For

12 of 40 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Hard Way?"

Questions about The Hard Way

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Hard Way?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The Hard Way from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 2 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Hard Way worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63 (IMDb 6.4 and Letterboxd 3.2 out of 5).

Will The Hard Way make me laugh?

Light

Now and then: the humor is mostly slapstick (7 of 10) and sharp wit (5 of 10).

Can I half-watch The Hard Way?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 5 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it drop-in friendly.

What tropes does The Hard Way use?

TypecastingCowboy CopIt's All About MeIt's PersonalMadness MantraDisney Villain DeathComedic SociopathyWhat You Are in the DarkMood WhiplashNouveau RicheTom Hanks SyndromeBe Careful What You Wish Forand 28 more

TV Tropes lists 40 tropes for it, including Typecasting, Cowboy Cop, and It's All About Me.