Reynolds' work is top-flight, making it all the more a shame that this vastly underrated film was a flop as a theatrical release.
Physical Evidence (1989)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:16
Fresh:2
Rotten:14
Average Rating:3.3/10
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: A police officer (Burt Reynolds) suspended and now accused of murder is forced to join forces with his court-appointed attorney (Theresa Russell) to assemble the pieces of a deadly puzzle to find... A police officer (Burt Reynolds) suspended and now accused of murder is forced to join forces with his court-appointed attorney (Theresa Russell) to assemble the pieces of a deadly puzzle to find the missing link before time runs out. [More]
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Theresa Russell, Ned Beatty, Kay Lenz
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Theresa Russell, Ned Beatty, Kay Lenz, Ted McGinley, Kenneth Welsh, Tom O'Brien
Director: Michael Crichton
Director: Michael Crichton
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Reviews for Physical Evidence
Never for a minute do we think Burt Reynolds might be guilty, and even harder to swallow is that he and Russell could even like each other, much less become lovers.
Reynolds' performance as a tough former cop accused of murder is the best thing about this mediocre Jagged Edge wannabe.
...what on earth was [Michael Crichton] thinking when he agreed to helm this mess?
The case is crazy with clues, fights, new characters who fail to detain the attention, and all-important tapes containing something or other. The resolution is rubbish.
Mr. Reynolds has appeared in a long string of stinkers in recent years, but this time, the trouble isn't his fault.
A showcase for Russell's amateurism, the director's ineptitude and the screenwriter's clogged pen.
The problem is that there is no chemistry at all between Reynolds and Russell; they stand near each other and speak words of emotion, but there's not much light in their eyes and they don't budge the needle on the romantic voltmeter.
I’m optimistic when it comes to spending a rainy Sunday with one of Michael Crichton’s books, but I’d be far less excited to see another of his films.
So choppily assembled none of the various clues and innumerable suspects ever seem to lead anywhere.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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