Internal Affairs (1990)

 Internal Affairs (1990)

To say I was surprised with Internal Affairs puts it mildly. For a film that tackles police corruption and released in the banal month of January, this usually spells disaster. Yet…it was not. Yes, the film can be predictable and there is nothing we have not seen before. On the other hand, the film is elevated by Mike Figgis’s atmospheric direction and a rather atypical performance from Richard Gere. Far as I know, this is one of the very few roles (if not only role) where Gere is the antagonist. While playing the bad guy, he keeps the charisma that everyone knows him for. The film is an example that proves Gere has the acting chops. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this police thriller. There are some twists that came out of nowhere thanks to Henry Bean’s ingenious screenplay. The script and Figgis’s direction do a fantastic job building tension as the IAD do their thing. Is the finale any good? Some people say it was a letdown and others say that is does a solid job wrapping the story up. At the end of the day, it is an enjoyable police procedural but a forgettable one at that. For an early January release in 1990, that is like having an Oscar-winning drama on your hands.

Raymond Avilla (Andy Garcia) is brand new to LAPD’s Internal Affairs, the most hated division in the police force. After all, who likes when police investigate their “brothers.” He is partnered with the highly intelligent Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf). Raymond’s first case is to investigate Van Stretch (William Baldwin) whom he goes back with to the Academy. He soon realizes that while Stretch has some issues, the more dangerous cop is the partner, Dennis Peck (Richard Gere). The higher-ups believe Peck to be a model officer, but he is anything but. He is a man who lives beyond his means as a womanizer (despite being a married man) and a thief. He also excels at manipulating people to achieve his illegal endgame. Now there is a seemingly endless cat-and-mouse game between Raymond and Dennis. Raymond’s wife, Kathleen (Nancy Travis), is an art curator and is used by Dennis to get at Raymond. Who is to say that Raymond won’t do the same with Dennis’s wife, Heather (Annabelle Sciorra). Dennis will do anything to get what he wants and is not afraid to kill.

If anything, the reason why to watch the movie is to see Gere’s villainous performance, one that he never, ever partakes. It is nice to see him branch out and try something new. He made for a convincing bad guy. That is all the more dangerous because he maintains his charm that made him a movie star in the first place. His chemistry with Andy Garcia is something else. Rumors have it that the two actors did not like each other on set and some of the punches delivered by the men are actually real. Nothing like hatred for your co-workers to bring out the best in you, eh? I also found Laurie Metcalf to be a very likable, interesting character who is not afraid to tell the hard truths. Also, very young Elijah Wood is in the movie!

Is Internal Affairs any good? Maybe a little at least by January standards. The performances (especially Gere’s) and Figgis’s direction save the film from being mediocre. The story itself is fine if not forgettable. I enjoyed the flick but had a hard time remembering what happened only mere hours later. Take that for what you will.

My Grade: B-