Busting (1974)

52% of users liked it
(120 ratings)

Peter Hyams made his feature-film directing debut with this clumsily paced crime film concerning two Los Angeles vice-squad detectives. Michael Keneely (Eliott Gould) is the swaggering non-conformist and Patrick Farrel (Robert Blake) is the cocky follower. The two cops live for their work and spend… More Peter Hyams made his feature-film directing debut with this clumsily paced crime film concerning two Los Angeles vice-squad detectives. Michael Keneely (Eliott Gould) is the swaggering non-conformist and Patrick Farrel (Robert Blake) is the cocky follower. The two cops live for their work and spend most of their time busting call girls, massage parlor employees, and homosexuals. Keneely and Farrel eventually come to the conclusion that every criminal act in Los Angeles is due to the efforts of crime lord Carl Rizzo (Allen Garfield). The boys begin to harass Rizzo to the point of distraction, but their singular attempts to arrest Rizzo cause them to become the targets of, not only the criminal population, but the police force as well. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Peter Hyams
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Aug 8, 1990

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Forgettable Blake/Gould hippie generation flick

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Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A very cynical buddy cop movie from the seventies with some sharp, funny dialogue and real chemistry between the stars Elliot Gould and Robert Blake. A little known gem that Hyams virtually remade in the 80s as Running Scared.

Cast

            Elliott Gould as Keneely

            Robert Blake as Patrick Farrel

            Allen Garfield as Rizzo

            Antonio Fargas as Stephen

            Sid Haig as Rizzo's Bouncer

            Michael Lerner as Marvin

            Ron Cummins as Keneeley's New Partner

            Mimi Doyle as Mrs. Rosen

            Carl Eller as Huge Black Man

            Ivor Francis as Judge Simpson

            John Furlong as Policeman

            Danny Goldman as Mr. Crosby

            Kai Hernandez as Hooker

            Howard Platt as Carletti

            Logan Ramsey as Dr. Berman

            Cornelia Sharpe as Jackie

            Richard X. Slattery as Desk Sergeant

            William Sylvester as Mr. Waldman

            Napoleon Whiting as Rizzo's Butler

            Margo Winkler as Mrs. Rizzo

            Jessica Rains as Receptionist

            Erin O'Reilly as Doris

            Karen Anders as Nurse

            Frank Farmer as Rizzo's Connection

            Dee Carroll as Nurse

            John Lawrence (II) as Sgt. Kenefick

            Jack Knight as Hyatt
See full cast