8 Million Ways to Die (1986)

Director: Hal Ashby
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, Alexandra Paul

Synopsis:
An alcoholic ex-cop gets to the bottom of a prostitute's murder.

Impressions:
When I saw A Walk Among the Tombstones, I wasn't aware that Matt Scudder was the star of his own series of novels. This earlier adaption plays much looser with the source material, changing the setting and other details. If you happen to be a fan of the books, that may already generate some ill will. Otherwise, this is a so-so crime story with some fairly interesting character dynamics. The way Scudder dallies on both sides of the law and struggles with his numerous failings keeps you engaged. The big showdown, largely ad-libbed, is something to see. You may find it fairly authentic for its spontaneity or you may see it as a bit of a trainwreck. Book purists may not like it too much, but it's a decent enough watch for fans of crime movies.

Rating:
50/50