Stakeout Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two cops ogle a woman on stakeout, one gets distracted by love, and then they all fight in a sawmill.

🍿 Stakeout: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escaped Convict and Initial Stakeout

Richard ‘Stick’ Montgomery, a dangerous convict who killed an FBI agent, escapes from prison. Seattle detectives Chris Lecce and Bill Reimers are assigned to stake out Maria McGuire, Stick’s ex-girlfriend, hoping he will contact her. The initial stakeout is set up in a vacant house across the street from Maria’s apartment.

Chris Falls for Maria

Chris poses as a telephone repairman to bug Maria’s apartment, but he soon finds himself falling for her. This leads to complications as he gets personally involved with their subject. He lies to Maria about his identity and begins a romantic relationship, jeopardizing the stakeout.

The Deception Unravels

As Chris and Maria’s relationship deepens, Bill struggles to cover for Chris. Meanwhile, Stick arrives in town and eventually makes contact with Maria. The situation escalates as Stick discovers Chris’s true identity as a cop, leading to a dangerous confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chris Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss): A detective assigned to a stakeout who unexpectedly falls in love with the woman he’s observing.
• Bill Reimers (Emilio Estevez): Chris’s partner on the stakeout, who remains grounded and observes his partner’s unusual behavior.
• Maria McGuire (Madeleine Stowe): The ex-girlfriend of an escaped convict, who finds herself falling for one of her surveillants.
• Richard ‘Stick’ Montgomery (Aidan Quinn): A dangerous escaped convict who seeks out his ex-girlfriend, leading to a confrontation with the detectives.
• Phil Coldshank (Dan Lauria): One of the detectives who rotate with Chris and Bill on the stakeout, engaging in prank wars.
• Jack Pismo (Forest Whitaker): Phil’s partner and fellow detective involved in the stakeout, also part of the prank rivalry with Chris and Bill.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bill Reimers: “You’re a walking hard-on, Lecce, that’s what you are!” – Bill expresses his frustration with Chris’s unprofessional behavior when Chris starts falling for Maria.
• Chris Lecce: “I’m gonna lose my job, I’m gonna lose my pension, and I’m gonna get killed! All for a woman I don’t even know!” – Chris laments the predicament he’s in after falling in love with Maria.
• Chris Lecce: “342 pounds! Oh, she could *be* the house!” – Chris jokes about Maria’s description, which incorrectly stated her weight.
• Bill Reimers: “This was no boating accident!” – Bill quizzes Chris on movie quotes, unaware that Chris said this line in Jaws.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $65,673,233
• Worldwide Gross: $65,673,233

💥 Stakeout Reviews

Personal Review

Stakeout is a movie that just makes me smile. I first watched it as a kid, and it’s still a fun watch. Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez have great chemistry, and Madeleine Stowe is captivating. The scene where Dreyfuss is running around in that pink hat always cracks me up. The movie has action, romance, and comedy all rolled into one, making it perfect for a relaxing night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of buddy cop movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy action comedies with a touch of romance”
  • “Those who appreciate 1980s films”
  • “Fans of Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, and Madeleine Stowe”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Stakeout is a winning combination of action and comedy, elevated by the undeniable chemistry between Dreyfuss and Estevez. Badham’s direction keeps the pace brisk, and Stowe adds charm to the proceedings.
• RogerEbert.com: “While Stakeout has its violent moments, it’s the humor that shines. Dreyfuss delivers a brilliantly funny performance, and the film’s success lies in its ability to balance the comedic and suspenseful elements.
• The New York Times: “Stakeout delivers some laughs and thrills, but its plot is fairly predictable. The real strength lies in the performances of Dreyfuss and Estevez, who make a likable buddy-cop duo.

Audience Reactions

Richard Dreyfuss’s comedic performance is a highlight, making it memorable.: The movie perfectly blends action and comedy, keeping viewers entertained.

Madeleine Stowe is stunning, adding to the movie’s appeal.: The chemistry between Dreyfuss and Estevez makes the buddy-cop dynamic work.

Overall Consensus: A fun, engaging buddy-cop movie with a good mix of action, comedy, and romance, driven by strong performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez were having a movie trivia contest on the set one day. Estevez asked Dreyfuss to identify the movie that the line “This is no boating accident” was from. Dreyfuss didn’t recognize the quote, despite the fact that he was the actor who said it in Jaws (1975). This incident was re-enacted for the film.”
• “John Badham makes a cameo appearance as the writer.”

🖥️ How to Watch Stakeout?

Stakeout is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Consider purchasing the movie to support the filmmakers and have it available for repeat viewings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Stakeout, you might like these similar films:

• 48 Hrs. (1982): Classic buddy cop film with action and comedy, featuring mismatched partners forced to work together.
• Lethal Weapon (1987): Another definitive buddy cop movie from the same era, blending action with humor and a strong partnership.
• Rear Window (1954): Shares the theme of observing someone from a distance and getting drawn into their life, though in a suspenseful rather than comedic way.
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Modern take on the buddy cop dynamic with sharp wit, dark humor, and a crime story.

🛒 Stakeout Related Products

• Stakeout [Blu-ray]: Experience Stakeout in stunning high definition. Great picture quality.
• Stakeout Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. This print captures the essence of the movie.
• Richard Dreyfuss Signed Photo: A professionally printed photo autographed by Richard Dreyfuss, authenticated for value.
• 80s Crime Thriller Movies: Enjoy similar crime movies from the 80s. This category offers action and thrilling stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Why Do You Run” – performed by The Ward Brothers
• “Is It Love” – performed by Mr. Mister

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How would you feel about going on a stakeout? #film #shorts #viral

Ever wondered what a stakeout is *really* like? This short clip hilariously captures the less glamorous side of surveillance. Honestly, I’d be so bored, I’d probably start questioning all my life choices!

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