One Good Cop (1991)

17% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(6,554 ratings)

An honest man struggles to do the right thing, even if it means breaking the law, in this drama. Artie Lewis (Michael Keaton) is a scrupulously ethical cop who believes in his work, loves his wife Rita (Rene Russo), and stands by his partner Stevie Diroma (Anthony LaPaglia). Stevie is a single… More An honest man struggles to do the right thing, even if it means breaking the law, in this drama. Artie Lewis (Michael Keaton) is a scrupulously ethical cop who believes in his work, loves his wife Rita (Rene Russo), and stands by his partner Stevie Diroma (Anthony LaPaglia). Stevie is a single parent, and when he's shot and killed on duty, his three daughters (Grace Johnston, Rhea Silver-Smith, and Blair Swanson) are left with nowhere to go. Artie and Rita want to adopt Stevie's girls, but Child Welfare Services decides that their apartment is too small for three children. Artie needs to buy a house, which would require a $25,000 down payment that he doesn't have. Desperate, Artie grabs his gun and robs Beniamino (Tony Plana), a particularly scummy drug dealer who was peripherally involved in Stevie's death. Artie uses most of the take to buy the house, and he gives the rest to Father Wills (Vondie Curtis-Hall), who runs a local orphanage. However, what Artie doesn't know is that Beniamino's girlfriend Grace (Rachel Ticotin) is actually an undercover cop who won't stand by as Artie plays Robin Hood. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Heywood Gould
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: May 3, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Mar 4, 2003

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Manipulative story.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Wants to work in moral grays like "Serpico," but cops out.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

decent flick
Dean M

Fantastic story of a good cop become a newfound family.
Jim W

Michael Keaton plays a cop who finds himself taking care of his partner's 3 girls after he's killed. He finds himself doing things that he wouldn't usually do, in order to support them. The movie is a little routine with the usual "hand in your badge"… More
Michael Keaton plays a cop who finds himself taking care of his partner's 3 girls after he's killed. He finds himself doing things that he wouldn't usually do, in order to support them. The movie is a little routine with the usual "hand in your badge" type of stuff that you usually get in Hollywood cop dramas. While it's overdone with how we're constantly reminded why he's doing what he's doing. I mean, the movie has to keep showing that the kids are cute and that he cares about them. The movie also throws a big typical action movie shoot-out at us in the end that doesn't really fit in with the rest of the movie. However, I still like the movie due to the under-rated Michael Keaton that a lot of people dislike for no good reason. Rene Russo also does fine work as his wife. While Racgel Ticotin (Total Recall) isn't bad either a woman cop investigating him.

Cast

            Michael Keaton as Artie Lewis

            Rene Russo as Rita Lewis

            Anthony LaPaglia as Stevie Diroma

            Kevin Conway as Lieutenant Danny Quinn

            Rachel Ticotin as Grace

            Tony Plana as Beniamino

            Benjamin Bratt as Felix

            Grace Johnston as Marian Diroma

            Rhea Silver-Smith as Barbara Diroma

            Blair Swanson as Carol Diroma

            Rick Aiello as Knudson

            Benita Andre as Martha

            Lisa Arrindell as Raisa

            Brigitte Bako as Mrs. Garrett

            Joe Banks as 1st Beniamino Associate

            Doug Barron as Dr. Gelb

            Irene Brafstein as Older Shopper

            Alicia Brandt as Robin

            Thomas A. Carlin as Farrell

            George Kee Cheung as Waiter

            Kevin Corrigan as Clifford

            DeForest Covan as Older Man

            Vondie Curtis-Hall as Father Wills

            Cora Lee Day as Older Woman

            Marco De Luca as Eddie the Bartender

            Ed Deacy as Captain with Megaphone

            Frank di Elsi as Technician

            J.E. Freeman as Captain Schreiber

            Patricia Gould as Mother at Carnival

            David Barry Gray as Mickey Garrett

            Michael G. Hagerty as Walsh

            Keri Johnson as Teen in Projects

            Henry Kingi as Third Hood

            Danny Kramer as Arthur Garrett

            Tommy Kramer as Henry Garrett

            Ross Leon as Young Man in Elevator

            Kristina Loggia as Irene

            Ralph Nieves as Beniamino Scout

            Chad Randall as 1st Clifford Associate

            Victor Rivers as Oreste

            Thomas Rosales Jr. as 3rd Beniamino Associate

            Penny Santon as Mrs. Cristofaro

            Myke Schwartz as 2nd Clifford Associate

            Gary C. Smith as Robbery Victim

            Vivien Straus as Mrs. Frazier

            Maria Tirabassi as Bride to be

            Barbara Townsend as Nun

            Tierre Turner as First Hood

            Abe Vigoda
            
            Charlaine Woodard as Cheryl Clark

            Justin Derosa as 2nd Beniamino Associate

            Frank Ferrara as Burly Prisoner

            Billy Hopkins
            
            Heidi Levitt
            
            Robby Robinson as Second Hood
See full cast

One Good Cop (1991)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

danny d

Dean M

Jim W

Cast