paul2001sw-1 Films about cops investigating cops are a common currency, but in Mike Figgis's early thriller, 'Internal Affairs', there are already signs of the director's distinctive approach: the almost symbolic way in which the characters are depicted, the way the scenes are framed and the use of music, which Figgis co-wrote. The problem with the film is rather the plot: has any real suspect in an investigation attempted to throw the investigator off the trail by encouraging sexual anxieties in him by making designs on his wife? Another problem is that the said suspect is played by Richard Gere: Gere's character becomes increasingly psychotic as the film develops, but incongruously never losing his trademark suaveness. By the end, it's a bit of a mess: at one point the female lead accuses the male protagonists of effectively staging a dick-swinging contest, but the final scene is effectively exactly one of those, with even Andy Garcia's "good cop" acting with apparent total disregard for the well-being of his wife (who he has, it should be noted, hit in public earlier in the movie): the film becomes increasingly unpleasant and decreasingly plausible as it progresses. Still, the first signs of Figgis's talent are undoubtedly there, even if the script is decidedly not.

Scarecrow-88 Right before Pretty Woman (1990), Gere played smarmy, womanizing, multi-divorced, prick LA street cop, Dennis Peck, taking money from the likes of pimps and drug-dealers in order to provide for his four wives and nine (!) kids. Peck likes to spread the seed around. He's in for a rude awakening when young Hispanic Internal Affairs agent, Raymond Avilla (Andy Garcia) investigates Peck's partner, Van Stretch (William Baldwyn), prone to violent outbursts and other criminal activities. Avilla wants Peck and hopes to get Van to turn on him. Peck not only takes money for prostitution and drugs but also negotiates executions, as is the case with a businessman's parents! Peck isn't about to not only take money and arrange gangbangers to execute the businessman's parents but feels free to bang the guy's wife as well! When Peck realizes the threat to his livelihood, he makes it a mission to torment Avilla, provoking his jealousy in regards to a wife (a smokin' Nancy Travis; I'm telling you, Travis has never been this foxy!) needing some lovin' (knowing Peck's reputation as a womanizer, Avilla does feel a sense of uncertainty because his overworking nature to find evidence against the smart-aleck, no-good cop leaves little time for a wife wanting affection and attention from her husband) and removing anyone that might point a finger at his direction. Considering the possible notoriety behind the scenes between Gere and Garcia's inability to get along, their time on screen benefits significantly from the intensity, animosity, and hostility shared between the two characters, Peck and Avilla. Gere fires on all cylinders in this performance, full of swagger and aggression, with a character that would easily dupe you into believing he's on your side, while all the while setting up your execution. Seemingly no conscience (except when with his children) or compassion exists in this man, and Peck has built enough bad juju for punishment to visit upon him with violent and swift justice. I like how the film establishes that Avilla's obsessions (like getting a cop associated with Peck, Dorian (Michael Beach), on Homicide) are turning him into Peck. There's a really volatile scene where Avilla confronts his wife in a restaurant about her possible involvement with Peck that registers off-the-charts; Avilla even smacks her upside the jaw, dropping panties, stolen by Peck from her room, at her face! Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne; The Big Bang Theory) has a nifty supporting part as Avilla's lesbian partner, Amy Wallace. Where Internal Affairs feels conventional is in the partner getting hurt and the wife being threatened by the villain. The inevitable showdown doesn't quite match the earlier macho exchanges, eliciting plenty of fireworks, between the opposing cops. Gere dominates his scenes—every last one of them—while Garcia can stare down those associates of Avilla with a moral compass blazing a trail from his eyes that leaves them really uncomfortable and on edge (a great example is the wife of Van, played by Faye Grant, who has a disdain for the IA but cannot look Avilla in the eyes; she had been screwing around with Peck behind Van's back). Annabella Sciorra has limited involvement in the film as Peck's newest wife, eventually helping Avilla take down her sleazy husband (it was either her children or Peck, with few options available to her, as Avilla forces her hand). Baldwin's demise thanks to Gere is hard to watch because it is coming and Van doesn't have a clue he's about to take a shotgun blast to the chest. Not quite dying, Peck assists with a choke hold strangling the remaining life from him. This, along with the discovery of the parents under the giant Hollywood sign, just illustrates fully how evil he really is. He, at the end, uses his children's welfare as an excuse for all of his activities; Gere's whole purpose is to make us despise his character and in that he succeeds.

Tweekums 'Internal Affairs' has two protagonists; Dennis Peck, an LA street cop who is highly regarded and has opted to stay on the streets rather than climb the promotion ladder and Raymond Avilla and cop who has just joined the Internal Affairs Division. Avilla's first case involves Peck's partner Van Stretch, a man accused of planting drugs on a suspect... and an old friend of Avilla's. After a run in with Peck, Avilla has a feeling that he may be dirty too, the more he hears the more convinced he is but he will need far more evidence if he is to go up against the force's poster boy. With plenty of evidence against Stretch he offers him a deal if he will name other dirty cops. He says no but later tells his wife he is going to take the deal; a mistake since she was with Peck at the time. Peck arranges for Stretch to be killed; there is still no evidence against him though. As the investigation continues Peck starts to goad Avilla, insinuating that he has slept with his wife... a suggestion that gets just the reaction Peck wanted. The closer the investigation gets to Peck the more dangerous it gets for Avilla and his partner as Peck is owed favours by a lot of people.This was a fine thriller; Richard Gere did a fine job playing against type as the corrupt cop Peck; the more we got to know the character the more evil he seemed; playing opposite him Andy Garcia is as good playing honest cop Avilla; a character who could self destruct if he continues to let Peck get under his skin. Other notable performances come from Laurie Metcalf, who plays Avilla's partner Amy Wallace and William Baldwin as Van Stretch. Director Mike Figgis did a fine job keeping things tense throughout the film; I also liked how some questions remained unanswered; notably whether or not a key character would survive after being seriously wounded. I'd certainly recommend this film to fans of Gere and Garcia as well as to anybody who likes a decent crime thriller.

ShaKaarii Melendez oms this movie still is so AWESOME.Laurie Metcalf who play Jackie in the hit show from 90s Roseanne,wow she is So good in this too love her acting!i love how the chemistry between two partners Garcia/Metcalf was VERY convincing,strictly platonic. i love his wife in this nancy travis. was very pretty, so cute, her long very wild thick curly hair i remember most about her as her acting was really good in this too. love this filmand i agree the scene at the end"when he say to her if your f---king lieing to me,if i see you with some 1 i will f----king kill you! lol then the part in the restaurant, oms when he is asking her first niceand calm where were you who you go to lunch with and she got snarly says none,of YOUR business roflmfao! oms. that was something she should have not said then,he hit her LOL not at all NICE! however,the scene was LOL he start speaking Spanish totally going off on her in the public at her job lol everyone staring,lol they would not dare! even approach I.A.D.officer Raymond avilla.I love his acting. (andy Garcia)acting so hot. a very passionate papito.y' yo amo this movie,never sick of it, even if it is sad when William Baldwin character Van Stretch killed by Dennis peck rich gere.Richard was MEAN in this just all type of sleaze he was great in it though. a very good movie. Van Stretch(Baldwin)should have known not to trust this guy,Richard gere(Dennis peck)was so bad in this film,very great acting on all parts!the ending is the best but avail the entire movie is ten stars easy...adiós..Most Beautiful BMW Redhead over at Facebook