The Last Boy Scout (1991) is an American buddy action comedy film directed by Tony Scott and written by Shane Black. It stars Bruce Willis as Joe Hallenbeck, a disgraced former Secret Service agent who now works as a private investigator. Damon Wayans plays Jimmy Dix, a disgraced former NFL quarterback who is now broke and addicted to gambling.
Hallenbeck is hired to protect a stripper named Cory (Halle Berry), who is being threatened by unknown assailants. However, Cory is murdered before Hallenbeck can protect her. Hallenbeck teams up with Dix to investigate Cory's murder, and they soon discover that it is part of a much larger conspiracy involving corruption at the highest levels of government and the NFL.
The Last Boy Scout is a fast-paced and action-packed film with a lot of humor and violence. It is also a surprisingly smart film, with a complex and well-developed plot. Willis and Wayans have great chemistry together, and they give excellent performances. The supporting cast is also strong, including Noble Willingham, Chelsea Field, and Taylor Negron.
It has since become a cult classic, and it is considered to be one of the best action films of the 1990s.
Here are some of the themes of the film:
- Corruption: The film explores the corruption that exists in government and the NFL. Hallenbeck and Dix uncover a conspiracy involving corrupt politicians, businessmen, and sports figures.
- Redemption: Hallenbeck and Dix are both flawed characters who are trying to redeem themselves. Hallenbeck is trying to get his life back on track after being disgraced, and Dix is trying to overcome his gambling addiction.
- Friendship: Hallenbeck and Dix form an unlikely friendship as they work together to investigate Cory's murder. They learn to trust and rely on each other, and they eventually become close friends.
The Last Boy Scout is a fun and entertaining film that also has something to say about the world we live in. It is a film that can be enjoyed on both a surface and deeper level.
Director: Tony Scott
Writer: Shane Black
Box Office Gross: $59,509,925
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Genre: action comedy crime thriller
Release Date: December 13, 1991