Stakeout (1987)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(18,442 ratings)

Though John Badham's Stakeout doesn't flinch in the violence department, the film concentrates primarily on characterization. Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez play a pair of Seattle detectives, assigned to capture escaped hood Aidan Quinn. The twosome spends much of the film on stakeout in a… More Though John Badham's Stakeout doesn't flinch in the violence department, the film concentrates primarily on characterization. Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez play a pair of Seattle detectives, assigned to capture escaped hood Aidan Quinn. The twosome spends much of the film on stakeout in a lonely, deserted house; the object of their scrutiny is Madeline Stowe, Quinn's former girlfriend. Pretending to be a telephone repairman, Dreyfuss plants a bug in Stowe's apartment--thereby inaugurating a romance that compromises the detective's objectivity. In the climax, Quinn gets the upper hand--at least until the fists start flying. Perfect as it stood, Stakeout didn't need to be elaborated upon with a sequel, but Another Stakeout was produced all the same. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: John Badham
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 5, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Aug 13, 2002

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Dullsville
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Beats the Lethal Weapon movies at their own game.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Dreyfuss and Estevez have true comedic chemistry.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Enough sophomoric jokes about sex to keep it pleasingly diverting.
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
One of the better buddy films from the 1980's.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
An adequately wacky cops-and-robbers caper. Sharp dialogue and good chemistry between the actors make up for its routine plot twists.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of the best action comedy films to date. Estevez and Dreyfuss are the ultimate duo.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
An OK cop-buddy film; nothing special here. Not one of Badham's best.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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

Ken S

One or two fun moments, but overall not the best (or worst) entry into the buddy cop genre. The fight in the saw mill at the end is well done.
AJ V

I've seen a lot of these detective romance movies recently, but this one was the most fun. Not just because I love Emilio either. It's exciting and fast paced, and the romance is realistic, but funny. I really enjoyed this movie, and I'd recommend seeing it.
Jens S

Not having seen this film for quite a while I did not remember how much it is based in the 80s. That starts with the soundtrack and ends with the look of the characters. How many films can you think of with the two main characters wearing mustaches? Exactly. However, the main idea of… More
Not having seen this film for quite a while I did not remember how much it is based in the 80s. That starts with the soundtrack and ends with the look of the characters. How many films can you think of with the two main characters wearing mustaches? Exactly. However, the main idea of cops having to stake out an escaped prisoner's ex and how they develop this (one of them falling for her) is still a pleasure to watch and sometimes hilariously funny. The great showdown is back to real thriller action, so the movie works on both levels really well. If you don't mind a trip back to the 80s, that is...
Dean !

A funny cop buddy movie.
jay n

richard dreyfuss and emilio estevez make a great team
xGary X

Richard Dreyfuss brings an unusual amount of lightly comic charm to the usual buddy cop formula, but don't expect anything wildly different from every other film of this type.
Dean M

Brilliant action-comedy film as Richard Dreyfuss gets rather more heavily involved with the object of his and partner Emilio Estevez's surveillance than police regulations usually permit.
James A

Not even the mighty Emilio can wear a mustach
Deb S

Oooh, I love my job, I love it so much! Seattle cops Chris (Emilio Estevez) and Bill (Richard Dreyfuss) are assigned to stakeout the home of an ex-girlfriend Maria of an escaped con to see if he will turn up there. Complications arise when Bill "violates procedure" and… More
Oooh, I love my job, I love it so much! Seattle cops Chris (Emilio Estevez) and Bill (Richard Dreyfuss) are assigned to stakeout the home of an ex-girlfriend Maria of an escaped con to see if he will turn up there. Complications arise when Bill "violates procedure" and falls for the slippery con's old flame, played by the sexy Madeleine Stowe. Aiden Quinn is effective as psychopathic boyfriend/con who is on his way to Seattle to pay Maria a visit to get something that 'belongs' to him. Dan Lauria and Forrest Whitaker as the other cop pair that alternate stakeout duties with Chris and Bill.
Lee K

all around pretty good movie. we dont get to see much of Emilio Estevez anymore now i know alot of you are probably saying good, but i enjoyed his movies and this one has some laughs and stands out more due to the fact that Richard dreyfuss is in it.
Leo L

Although an odd pair, Estevez and Dreyfuss are hilarious in this film. Filled with tons of laughter.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Richard Dreyfuss as Chris Lecce

            Emilio Estevez as Bill Riemers

            Madeleine Stowe as Maria McGuire

            Aidan Quinn as Richard "Stick" Montgomery

            Dan Lauria as Phil Coldshank

            Forest Whitaker as Jack Pismo

            Ian Tracey as Caylor Reese

            Earl Billings as Capt. Giles

            Jackson Davies as FBI Agent Lusk

            Scott Andersen as Reynaldo McGuire

            Lloyd Berry as Gas Station Attendant

            Lossen Chambers as Supermarket Cashier

            Gary Hetherington as Prison Doctor

            Kim Kondrashoff as Billy Steeks

            Don MacKay as Prison Officer

            Blu Mankuma as 2nd Paramedic

            Tony Pantages as Tony Harmon

            Jan Speck as Kelly McDonald

            Denalda Williams as Farol Bernie

            Elizabeth Bracco as Bar Waitress

            Don S. Davis as Prison Gate Guard

            J.J. Makaro as B.C

            David Brass as Cafe Waiter

            Sid Kozak
            
            Judy Taylor
            
            Mike Fenton
            
            Jane Feinberg
            
            Roger Dean as Prison First Guard

            Beatrice Boepple as Carol Reimers
See full cast