Q & A (1990)
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87% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
47% of users liked it
(2,852 ratings)
Following Serpico (1973) and Prince of the City (1981), veteran urban crime film director Sidney Lumet completed a thematic trilogy about New York City police corruption with this noir drama. When New York City cop Mike Brennan (Nick Nolte) shoots an unarmed Hispanic drug dealer in cold blood, he… More Following Serpico (1973) and Prince of the City (1981), veteran urban crime film director Sidney Lumet completed a thematic trilogy about New York City police corruption with this noir drama. When New York City cop Mike Brennan (Nick Nolte) shoots an unarmed Hispanic drug dealer in cold blood, he quickly plants a gun on his victim and manufactures some eyewitness testimony. D.A. Kevin Quinn (Patrick O'Neal) calls in his assistant district attorney, Al Reilly (Timothy Hutton), to conduct a perfunctory investigation of the incident, but Brennan's obvious guilt during a question and answer session makes Reilly dig deeper. The crusading lawyer is soon uncovering a web of corruption that reaches from Brennan into Quinn's office. At the same time, Reilly learns that his ex-girlfriend Nancy Bosch (Jenny Lumet, the director's daughter), is now dating his chief witness, Puerto Rican drug dealer Bobby Texador (Armand Assante). Q&A (1990) was based on the novel by Edwin Torres, a New York State Supreme Court judge whose two other novels were later adapted into the film Carlito's Way (1993). Lumet would again return to the subject of New York's corrupt criminal justice system with Night Falls on Manhattan (1997). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sidney Lumet
- Written By
- Sidney Lumet
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Drama
- In Theaters
- Apr 27, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- TriStar Pictures
Critic Reviews
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Q & A is testimony to the validity of the old adage: a good story, when well told, can never be told too many times.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
While this tough, fundamentally sound New York thriller has its moments, it's no Prince of the City.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
''Q and A'' is most memorable for its performances, beginning with Mr. Nolte's.
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Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Unfortunately, Lumet isn't the brawny social commentator he would like to be -- he's a Jimmy Breslin manque'.
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, Entertainment Weekly
Q&A is a major film by one of our finest mainstream directors. As both a portrait of modern-day corruption and an act of sheer storytelling bravura, it is not to be missed.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Nick Nolte
as Lieutenant Mike Brennan
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Timothy Hutton
as Al Reilly
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Armand Assante
as Bobby Texador
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Patrick O'Neal
as Kevin Quinn
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Lee Richardson
as Leo Bloomenfeld
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Jenny Lumet
as Nancy Bosch
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Luis Guzman
as Detective Luis Valentin
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Charles S. Dutton
as Detective Sam Chapman
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Paul Calderon
as Roger Montalvo
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International Chrysis
as Jose Malpica
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Dominic Chianese
as Larry Pesch
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Leo Cimino
as Nick Petrone
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Fyvush Finkel
as Preston Pearlstein
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Tommy A. Ford
as Lubin
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Cynthia O'Neal
as Agnes Quinn
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Jose Rafael Arango
as "After Hours" Patron
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Gustavo Brens
as Alfonse Segal
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Martin E. Brens
as Armand Segal
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John Capodice
as Hank Mastroangelo
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Jerry Ciauri
as Bruno Valli
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Victor Colicchio
as "After Hours" Alvarado
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Jose Collazo
as Fisherman
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Danny Darrow
as Phone Investigator
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David Dill
as Bartender
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Drew Elliot
as Magnus
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Burtt Harris
as Phil
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Gloria Irizarry
as Mrs. Bosch
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Michael Joseph
as Pimp
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George Kodisch
as Inspector Flynn
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Hal Lehrman
as Altshul
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Anibal O. Lleras
as "After Hours" Patron
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Olga Merediz
as Mrs. Valentin
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Susan Michell
as Flo
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Brian Neill
as Sophia/Sylvester
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Junior Perez
as "Nancy" Captain
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Frank Raiter
as Seabury
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Javier Ríos
as Boat Lover
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Rod Rodriquez
as Carlo
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Edward Rogers III
as Jose's Apartment Detective
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Frederick Rolf
as District Attorney
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Edward Rowan
as Ed
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Maurice Schell
as Detective Zucker
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Richard Solchik
as Phillie
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June Stein
as A.D.A
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Sonny Vidiz
as Gino
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Harry Madsen
as Tony Vasquez
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Peter Gumeny
as Guard
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Alex Ruiz
as Danny

