Bighead55555
This is the kind of movie where you want to take a shower afterwards. So much degradation, slimy characters, and dirty-looking locations. Scheider does what Scheider always does, Glover does what Glover always does, Williams does what Williams always does. You see a pattern? The musical score must have been performed on a Commodore 64, and cost $1.98 to produce. While the production is competently lensed, whatever production "value" is overwhelmed by the sordid plot and predictable execution. Tiresome, pedantic, and shopworn, this thing is a pass.
Danny Blankenship
Just watched 1986's little known drama film "52 Pick-Up" which is based on well known author Elmore Leonard's novel the film entertains well with suspense and action a good tale of corruption and greed which sets off a chain of events in a dirty game of blackmail and sex. Set in Los Angeles a well to do business man Harry Mitchell(Roy Scheider of "Jaws" fame)has it all money, big house an elegant socialite trophy wife(played by the classic Ann Margret). And plus Harry thinks about the city council then life takes a twist as ruthless bad guys show up with a video of Harry in bed with a mistress(Kelly Preston). So then it's a game of blackmail as the tension and drama mounts as a blood bath of murder and revenge is on the way. In a good supporting turn the now late Vanity strikes it up as a nude dance model who helps Harry along in his fight against the underworld subculture. And plenty of eye candy is present with the nude scenes of the hot sexy Vanity! Overall good B type action drama thriller to enjoy!
AnnieLola
This is definitely a Guy Flick, though the kind of guy who really enjoys this probably isn't somebody you'd feel good about trusting with your sister or daughter. Not being a guy myself, the appeal is elusive. Not that it isn't a well-crafted thriller; what points I gave it are an acknowledgment of that, but since it's my personal review I'm giving my subjective opinion. That can be pretty well summed up with a few adjectives: VIOLENT, SLEAZY, REPULSIVE. It probably made money, though, and in the film industry that counts for a lot. Age restrictions were created especially to spare impressionable young minds the kind of imagery presented here. Makes you yearn for good clean sex and violence... Definitely on my list of films to never see again.
tavm
Just watched this movie today on a used VHS tape I bought several days ago. This is the one where Roy Scheider is blackmailed by the villainous trio of Robert Trebor, Clarance Williams III, and as the ringleader, John Glover. They have evidence he cheated on his beautiful wife Ann-Margret with a hooker played by the young Kelly Preston. The title refers to the amount in thousands Scheider is supposed to pay but he has other plans...Directed by John Frankenheimer from a screenplay co-written by Elmore Leonard on whose book it's based on, this was a very absorbing thriller even with the somewhat cheesy '80s score tacked on. Everyone I've mentioned are quite good with both Williams and Glover especially turning on the heat. Pop singer Vanity is also good as a roommate of Ms. Preston's who provides her own moments with Scheider and Williams. From the Golan-Globus team at Cannon Films, 52 Pick-Up is one of their most compelling films made during their '80s heyday. P.S. This is one of those movies that doesn't use the fake 555 prefix whenever a telephone number is mentioned.
