Synopsis

Disgraced former Secret Service agent Joe Hallenbeck now works as a private investigator in Los Angeles. When a woman under his protection is murdered, Joe joins forces with her boyfriend, ex-football star Jimmy Dix. Their investigation uncovers a conspiracy involving a corrupt politician, a professional football team, gambling, and an ambitious plan to control the league.

Factoids & Trivia

• Shane Black's screenplay reportedly sold for $1.75 million, making it one of the most expensive original screenplays purchased at the time.

• Filming took place from March 11 to June 9, 1991, primarily in Los Angeles. Football sequences were shot at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and San Diego Stadium.

• The production became known for serious tension between producer Joel Silver, Bruce Willis, and Tony Scott. Scott later expressed strong dissatisfaction with the experience and did not work with Silver again.

• A confrontation about a $650 pair of pants originated in a deleted scene from Lethal Weapon (1987), another Shane Black screenplay.

• A crowd-control incident occurred during filming at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when extras arrived for a canceled shooting day and were reportedly not paid. Riot police were called to disperse the gathering.

• The film was nominated for two 1992 MTV Movie Awards: Best Action Sequence, for the helicopter-blade scene, and Best On-Screen Duo, for Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans.

• Although its theatrical performance fell short of expectations, the film became popular through home video and later developed a cult following.

• A limited-edition soundtrack album containing much of Michael Kamen's score was released by La-La Land Records in 2015.