Striking Distance Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bruce Willis is a cop who gets demoted to boat duty in Pittsburgh and has to solve a murder mystery while navigating the three rivers and his confusing family relationships.

🍿 Striking Distance: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Cop’s Family and a City Terrorized

Tom Hardy, a Pittsburgh cop from a long line of police officers, finds himself at odds with his own department. Following the death of his father during a pursuit of a serial killer, Tom suspects a cover-up and believes the killer is still at large, possibly within the police force. This accusation brands him a pariah, leading to his demotion.

River Patrol and Recurring Nightmares

Years later, Tom is relegated to river patrol, haunted by his father’s death and the unresolved case. A new series of murders begins, mirroring the original killings. The victims are women from Tom’s past, leading him to believe the killer is taunting him. He teams up with a new partner, Jo Christman, to investigate the crimes, despite the skepticism of his former colleagues.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

As Tom and Jo delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of corruption and deceit within the police department. Tom faces resistance from his uncle, Captain Nick Detillo, and other officers who dismiss his theories. The investigation leads them to suspect a fellow officer, forcing Tom to confront his past and the choices he made that led to his current situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Hardy (Bruce Willis): A maverick cop demoted to river patrol, haunted by his father’s murder and determined to prove a serial killer is a cop.
• Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker): Tom Hardy’s new partner on the river patrol, who assists him in his unauthorized investigation.
• Nick Detillo (Dennis Farina): Tom’s uncle and Captain, representing the old-school police force that clashes with Tom’s methods.
• Danny Detillo (Tom Sizemore): Tom’s cousin, who is an ex-cop and struggles with alcholism.
• Jimmy Detillo (Robert Pastorelli): Tom’s cousin, a former partner accused of police brutality, whose past actions tie into the serial killer case.
• Vince Hardy (John Mahoney): Tom’s father, a dedicated Lieutenant whose murder sets off a chain of events that affect Tom’s life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom Hardy: “Who are you kidding Tommy? You ain’t got nothing worth stealing.” – Tom Hardy says this line during the houseboat scene before the armed assailant realizes who he is dealing with.
• Det. Nick Detillo: “There’s an old Italian saying: Never scald your tongue on another man’s soup.” – Nick Detillo says this to Tom as advice when Tom is investigating his fellow police officers.
• Tom Hardy: “Yeah? There’s an old Irish saying: don’t listen to old Italian sayings.” – Tom Hardy responds to Nick Detillo’s Italian saying with an Irish retort, dismissing his advice.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $24,107,867
• Worldwide Gross: $24,107,867

💥 Striking Distance Reviews

Personal Review

Striking Distance is the kind of movie I love to watch on a rainy day. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s entertaining. Bruce Willis plays his usual tough guy role, but the setting in Pittsburgh adds something unique. I enjoyed the car chase in the beginning and the boat scenes. The plot is predictable, but sometimes you just want something familiar and fun. The little red riding hood song adds a creepy element that sticks with you.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in films set in Pittsburgh”
  • “Those who appreciate B-movie action flicks”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Striking Distance tries to be a gritty crime thriller, but it’s weighed down by a predictable plot and cardboard characters. Even Bruce Willis seems bored.
• IMDB User Review: “I don’t understand why this film is so over-looked. It has pretty everything fans of Bruce Willis would want. He is a cop, not liked by his fellow officers, and he is on a murder case where no one believes what he has to say. There is action, swearing, one liners, and even some sex.
• Film Critic: “A forgettable crime drama that relies too heavily on well-worn tropes and a predictable storyline. The Pittsburgh setting offers a unique visual backdrop, but it’s ultimately wasted on a generic plot.

Audience Reactions

The unique setting of Pittsburgh and the river patrol added a different flavor to the standard cop thriller.: Viewers appreciated the action sequences and the familiar presence of Bruce Willis in a leading role.

Dennis Farina stole every scene he was in, and his chemistry with Bruce Willis was very believable.: The supporting cast added depth to the movie, even though the plot was predictable

Overall Consensus: Striking Distance is a formulaic but entertaining crime thriller with a unique Pittsburgh setting, held up by a solid cast, even though it suffers from a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally titled “Three Rivers” but was changed due to concerns that audiences would think it was a sports movie because of the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh.”
• “Bruce Willis reportedly disliked the film and later apologized for it on a talk show.”
• “The Pittsburgh Police badges used in the film were plastic resin casts of actual Pittsburgh PD badges, and all badges used were one of only four numbers.”
• “Much of the filming took place on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, showcasing the city’s rivers and industrial landscape.”

🖥️ How to Watch Striking Distance?

Striking Distance is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) may also be available through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Striking Distance, you might like these similar films:

• The Last Boy Scout (1991): Features Bruce Willis as a down-on-his-luck, wisecracking protagonist in a gritty crime thriller.
• The River Wild (1994): While not a crime thriller, it involves suspenseful action set on a river, sharing a water-based setting.
• Kiss the Girls (1997): Another thriller involving serial killer, cat and mouse game.

🛒 Striking Distance Related Products

• Die Hard: 5-Film Collection [Blu-ray]: Relive Bruce Willis’s iconic role as John McClane in this action-packed collection. A must-have for any action movie enthusiast and a perfect addition to any film library. If you like Striking Distance, you might also enjoy Willis’s role in Die Hard.
• Pittsburgh Dad T-Shirt: Show your love for the Steel City with this classic t-shirt. Perfect for anyone who appreciates Pittsburgh culture and humor.
• Three Rivers Stadium Print: Celebrate the historic Pittsburgh stadium, capturing a memorable landmark in city history
• Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues: Experience the action-packed world of Cobra Kai with this beat ’em up videogame. Choose your side, master your moves, and fight your way to victory in this thrilling adventure based on the hit TV series. Relive the rivalry with a thrilling twist on the classic film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Striking Distance features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Lil’ Red Riding Hood” – performed by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Striking Distance – Car Chase – Ford vs Chevy

Remember that insane car chase in ‘Striking Distance’? This clip breaks it down, Ford vs. Chevy style! Seriously, who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned movie car crash? Check it out!

Bruce Willis: The Evolution of Action Hero

Ever wonder how Bruce Willis became *the* action hero? This video covers his career, including ‘Striking Distance’. It’s actually pretty insightful to see how this movie fits into his overall acting journey, give it a watch!

Opening To Striking Distance 2005 DVD

Okay, this might sound niche, but hear me out: Remember watching movies on DVD? This is the actual DVD opening to ‘Striking Distance’! I forgot how cool those old menu screens were, you gotta see this blast from the past!

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