Director: John Irvin
Writer: Gary DeVore, Norman Wexler (Screenplay) Lucian Vincenzoni, Sergio Donati (Story)
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harrold, Sam Wanamaker, Paul Shenar, Robert Davi, Ed Lauter, Darren McGavin, Joe Regalbuto
Plot: A former FBI agent turned small-town sheriff agrees to help the FBI chief infiltrate the Chicago mafia when the FBI chief’s son is killed by them.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Simple Action Film
Story: Raw Deal starts as we see the mob take down a witness protection post killing the son of Harry Shannon (McGavin). We move on to meet Mark Kaminsky (Schwarzenegger) a small town sheriff that was forced to leave the FBI with him and his wife struggling with this quiet existence.
With a phone call from Harry gives Mark a chance to regain his FBI status by going undercover in the Patrovita (Wanamaker) organisation with the promises of getting his old job back. Mark’s new identity is Joseph P Brenner and it doesn’t take long for him to start getting noticed and welcomed into the crime organisation.
Raw Deal is what you would call a typical action crime thriller from the 80s, it has nothing truly fresh but can be enjoyed from the casual viewing. We get to see the redemption story but I do feel we should have seen what Mark had done rather just hear about it. We do get a film that continues to grow Schwarzenegger reputation in the action genre.
Actor Review
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Mark Kaminsky/Joseph P Brenner, Mark is the former FBI agent turns small town Sheriff because of his rough justice. He lives a boring life where his wife has grown to hate him. Mark gets a chance to get his old job back by going undercover in a criminal organisation against the men which killed his former partner’s son. Arnold shows his action skills without being trying to hard.
Kathryn Harrold: Monique is a lady Mark meets in the club where he strikes up a friendship with her as the two are only ever friends but nothing more. She is trapped under the thumb of the mobsters who are making her do their scouting from the tables. Kathryn is a simple female character that never really offers too much to the main story.
Sam Wanamaker: Luigi Patrovita is the crime boss who has control of the city that Mark has to get close to, he doesn’t let people in easily but if you mess with him you won’t be around much longer. Sam makes for your typical villain in the business man type of role.
Darren McGavin: Harry Shannon is the former partner of Mark in the FBI who secretly funds the undercover mission to get revenge for the death of his son at the hands of the mob. Darren is a solid supporting character one that is typical for 80s films.
Support Cast: Raw Deal doesn’t have the most memorable supporting cast with most just being extra members of the mob for Mark to take out.
Director Review: John Irvin – John gives us an easy to watch action film that never really tests us.
Action: Raw Deal has standard 8os action going on from start finish.
Crime: Raw Deal puts us into a crime world where we get to see one man undercover looking for revenge for a friend.
Thriller: Raw Deal tries to keep us on edge but we all know Arnie is never in danger.
Settings: Raw Deal doesn’t have the most memorable settings being used in the film.
Special Effects: Raw Deal has typical effects for the time period the film was made in.
Suggestion: Raw Deal is one for a late night TV where you can sit back and relax. (Late Night TV)
Best Part: Arnie is still strong.
Worst Part: Nothing really fresh.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $8.5 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Tagline: Nobody gives him a Raw Deal.
Overall: Easy to watch action film
Rating
