7/26/06: Down, Out and Dangerous (1996)

Some films transcend bravery and head straight for cosmic truth. Then they’re never shown again. Richard Thomas—still best known from The Waltons—has made a lot of TV-movies in that tradition. In contrast, character actor Bruce Davison—Thomas’ old co-star from 1969’s Last Summer—has made a lot of timeless liberal crap.

Some mad genius at the USA cable network reunited the two for Down, Out and Dangerous. The universe didn’t invert. Instead, we got a made-for-TV acting duel that finally gives Davison a place in conservative filmmaking.

Davison plays a financial advisor who offers a helping hand to homeless man Thomas—despite Thomas’ resemblance to Charles Manson. Davison doesn’t notice because he’s too impressed by Thomas’ outrage over how society treats its poor unfortunates.

Davison is a genius at playing befuddled ineffectual types. His character is sadly believable, too. Thomas is equally perfect as the smarmy sleazeball opportunist, whipping Davison’s guilt into a nice brouleé. It isn’t long before Mr. Nice Guy has brought Thomas into his nice suburban home. It’s even quicker when Davison’s neighbor is killed under suspicious circumstances.

Naturally, Davison’s first instinct is to blame himself. Thomas is happy to provide an alibi. This sets up the blackmailing that leads to Thomas working beside Davison at the office. Then more suspicious circumstances lead to Davison being fired while Thomas climbs the corporate ladder. They could’ve called this Single White Liberal if Davison wasn’t married.

Adding to the suspense, the police detective on Davison’s trail is played by Mr. Bracken from Herman’s Head. He was, like, the smartest fact checker in the entire publishing industry. There’s nothing that Mr. Bracken doesn’t know.

Now get ready for the 10-year-old spoiler: A hip indie film would make a big point over how a sociopath like Thomas can fit right into corporate America. This made-for-TV movie, however, allows Thomas to unravel all of his clever plotting. The homeless man, it seems, is self-destructive. That’s something you don’t often see on television.

Thomas’ lunacy leads to one of the most brilliant fights in the entire history of movies that end with two guys fighting. It’s everything you’d expect in a battle between Richard Thomas and Bruce Davison—mainly, the adult equivalent of a playground slap-fight. Who will live? Who will die?

Who cares? We’ve already got our happy ending. There’s a crazy homeless person trying to murder the idiot who let him loose on our polite society. Kill them all and let Mr. Bracken sort them out.

Make it your own: Fortunately, USA Network cable movies always get a home video release. Remaining VHS copies of Down, Out and Dangerous are going cheap. Get yours before some homeless person does.

 

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