An Innocent Man

1989

An Innocent Man

Critics Consensus

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38%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 8

47%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 8,035
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Movie Info

In Peter Yates' crime drama An Innocent Man, Tom Selleck plays Jimmie Rainwood, a stock figure airline maintenance supervisor with a perfect family. Then, one day, Jimmie decides to take a shower. While scrubbing himself clean, two crooked cops are getting themselves dirtier. Mike Parnell (David Rasche) and Danny Scalise (Richard Young) are the kind of bad cops who bust the drug dealers, steal their supply, and sell it back to the local drug lords. On this day, unfortunately for Jimmie, they get the wrong address and bash down his door. When Jimmie comes out of the bathroom wielding his hair dryer, Parnell and Scalise think it is a gun and shoot him. Realizing their mistake, they cover themselves and frame him as a drug dealer. Jimmie refuses to take a plea and he is sentenced to six years in the slammer. In the brutal prison environment, he is taken aside by long-timer Virgil Kane (F. Murray Abraham), who gives him a bleak collection of options to chose from in order to survive prison. After seeing a prison gang rape, Jimmie chooses the kill-or-be-killed selection and stabs to death the nasty black convict who has been bothering him. After three years, Jimmie is released on parole, and he tries to pick up his life again. But Parnell and Scalise return to threaten Jimmie and his family. Realizing that his prison lessons must be carried over into civilian life, he sets up a situation in which the bad cops' drug dealings are revealed, and Jimmie prepares for a final reckoning between the cops and himself.

Cast

Tom Selleck
as Jimmie Rainwood
F. Murray Abraham
as Virgil Caine
Laila Robins
as Kate Rainwood
David Rasche
as Mike Parnell
Richard Young
as Danny Scalise
Badja Djola
as John Fitzgerald
Todd Graff
as Robby
M.C. Gainey
as Malcolm
Peter Van Norden
as Peter Feldman
Howard Feuer
Bruce A. Young
as Jingles
James T. Morris
as Junior
Terry Golden
as Felix
Dennis Burkley
as Butcher
Thomas B. Kackert
as Dove
Vito Peterson
as Handjob
Charlie Landry
as Stevie
Tobin Bell
as Zeke
Scott Jaeck
as Albert
Holly Fulger
as Yvonne
Philip Baker Hall
as Judge Lavet
J. Kenneth Campbell
as Lt. Freebery
Jim Ortlieb
as Convict at Robby's Death
Maggie Baird
as Stacy
Alanniss Allddero
as Convict Torturer
Bob Maroff
as Venucci
Derek Anunciation
as Lester
Ben Slack
as Woznick
J.J. Johnston
as Joseph Donatelli
Brian Brophy
as Nate Blitman
Ben Rawnsley
as Cop at Jimmie's
Dean Hill
as Mike
Gary Matanky
as Mechanic at Hangar
Jack R. Orend
as Officer at Bust
Ernie Lively
as Donatelli's Dealer
David Rhodes Brown
as Convict
Larry Brothers
as Basketball Con
Jeffrey Earl Young
as Guard
Lt. Mike Budge
as Warden
David Meligan
as Correctional Officer
Dave Florek
as Court Clerk
Ron Collins
as Fritz
Clint Howard
as Fellow prisoner
Jack Orend
as Officer at Bust
Ralph O. Benton
as 1st Man on Tuna Boat
Jim Staskel
as 2nd Man on Tuna Boat
Brian J. Williams
as 3rd Man on Tuna Boat
Gary Velasco
as Courthouse Guard No. 1
Robert Nichols
as Courthouse Guard No. 2
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Critic Reviews for An Innocent Man

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (5)

  • An Innocent Man has all the elements to put us through an emotional wringer, but the movie never works up any enthusiasm for them. It's the most relaxed crime movie of the year.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • ...an entertaining, engaging drama that benefits substantially from Selleck's charismatic (and sympathetic) turn as the central character.

    Jun 17, 2015 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    David Nusair

    Reel Film Reviews

  • The scenes of Selleck in prison are good, but his out-of-prison revenge is too contrived.

    Oct 6, 2005 | Rating: 2/5

    Chuck O'Leary

    Fantastica Daily
View All Critic Reviews (8)

Audience Reviews for An Innocent Man

  • Aug 16, 2011
    While I really like Tom Selleck, one of the more under-appreciated actors in Hollywood, this film was not his shining moment. Despite his best efforts, he is not able to overcome the clumsy dialogue, corny exposition, and the completely unbelievable over-the-top corrupt cops (where's Vic Mackey when you need him?) that are prevalent throughout the film. Yes, much of the prison material is effective, as is Selleck's relationship with his wife, but it all suffers around a poorly written script and amateur execution.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 19, 2007
    Tom Selleck is forced to get TOUGH to survive in prison, when he is framed for murder. He doesn't look good in blue, and looks better in Hawaiian shirts as Magnum P.I. It's a bit scary when anybody as nice as Tom Selleck can get sent to prison. The scene where the guards take away his wedding ring was sad. F. Murray Abraham helps him get even against a nasty gang of cons. Once Tom gets out of prison, he has real "conviction" to go after the bad cops who framed him, with a great ending scene. Not the most exciting film, but it has some unintentionally funny scenes.
    Lafe F Super Reviewer
  • May 27, 2007
    Rather clumsy prison flick that is yet more proof that Tom Selleck does not have the star presence to carry a project beyond the small screen. F Murray Abraham provides some dramatic gravitas, but it just feels so "straight to video".
    xGary X Super Reviewer
  • Mar 18, 2007
    Average mystery-thriller of a framed guy surviving in prison' story.
    Dean M Super Reviewer
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