V.I. Warshawski (1991)

18% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
24% of users liked it
(5,350 ratings)

Kathleen Turner stars as V.I. Warshawski in Jeff Kanew's film version of the hard-boiled detective character from Sara Paretsky's series of crime novels. Warshawski is a freelance private investigator in Chicago, who lives the part of the hard-boiled detective. But in her heart of hearts, she is a… More Kathleen Turner stars as V.I. Warshawski in Jeff Kanew's film version of the hard-boiled detective character from Sara Paretsky's series of crime novels. Warshawski is a freelance private investigator in Chicago, who lives the part of the hard-boiled detective. But in her heart of hearts, she is a softy. One night, while she is drinking at her favorite bar, she meets an ex-Blackhawks hockey player named Boom-Boom Grafalk (Stephen Meadows). The two connect and a romance appears to be in the making. But Warshawski is nevertheless surprised when Boom-Boom appears at her doorstep later that night with his 13-year-old daughter, Kat (Angela Goethals) in tow. He asks Warshawski if she could watch her and Warshawski agrees. Later that night, Boom-Boom is killed in a boat explosion and Kit hires Warshawski to track down her father's killer. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Jeff Kanew
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 26, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2002

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Turner wants to play up Warshawski's detective instincts while Disney would rather ogle with the intensity of a Mormon, unsure how to successfully launch a franchise like this without alienating male audiences.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
As inelegant as its title.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A highly enjoyable jaunt in action-thrill land
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's okay. It's not great. It kills time.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
The V stands for 'Very," the I "Idiotic." I don't know what letter stands for the end of Kathleen Turner's career.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
The start of Turner's cinematic downward spiral

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

Kathleen Turner's great as a tough-boiled, leggy, private eye investigator in this thriller movie.

Cast

            Kathleen Turner as V.I. "Vic" Warshawski

            Jay O Sanders as Murray

            Charles Durning as Lt. Mallory

            Angela Goethals as Kat Grafalk

            Nancy Paul as Paige Grafalk

            Frederick Coffin as Horton Grafalk

            Charles McCaughan as Trumble

            Stephen Meadows as Boom-Boom

            Wayne Knight as Smeissen

            Lynnie Godfrey as Sal

            Anne Pitoniak as Lotty

            Stephen Root as Mickey

            Robert Clotworthy as Phillip Pugh

            Tom Allard as Big Eddie

            Michael G. Hagerty as Babe

            Lee Arenberg as Flesh

            Gregg Almquist as Bank Manager

            Mike Bacarella as Cabbie

            John Beasley as Ernie

            Theresa Bell as Stacy

            Sandra Foster as Bank Teller

            John Fujioka as Suwtora

            Gene Hartline as Thug #1

            Victor Herold as Bassist

            Roger T. Ito as 1st Bodyguard

            Shirley Johnson as Singer

            Casey Jones as Drummer

            Doris LeGras as Maid

            Professor Eddie Lusk as Keyboardist

            Herb Muller as Contreras

            Geof Prysirr as Ron Whortley

            Aaron Seville as Paramedic

            Harry Everett Smith as McGraw

            Maurice Vaughn as Guitarist

            Robert Wong as 2nd Bodyguard

            Gary Epper as Thug #2

            John P. Marsh as Striker
See full cast