MovieChat Forums > Lethal Weapon (1987) Discussion > The two leads' chemistry is critical to ...

The two leads' chemistry is critical to this movie

posted 7 years ago by jekporkins (1970)
3 replies | jump to latest

The way they feed off each other is fantastic, with the riffs and casual conversation. You don't see a lot of that anymore. If it was any two other actors this wouldn't have worked nearly as well.

Another thing I'm noticing is how great Danny Glover is in this movie. Really under-appreciated performance. I think some of his dialogue must have been ad-libbed. "Cause I shot him in the leg. Now I'm happy. I'm gonna go over here and be happy." There are parts where he is obviously doing it, like when he introduces Riggs to his family. It is so natural and allows the characters to feel realistic. Love it.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77364) 7 years ago

Absolutely fantastic chemistry in
the 'Buddy Cop' category

48 Hrs too!

[–] jekporkins (1970) 7 years ago

Can you imagine them trying to do 48 Hours now? It would not work. The racist slang between Nolte and Murphy was perfect. I always said if I could have any movie car it would be Nolte's sky blue caddy. "I'm a rag top man, Reggie."

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77364) 7 years ago

Today that script just wouldnt sizzle because producers would tone it all way down and it would just be 'blah'

I thought the language was very true to the times and the relationship between the two characters...
I think Nolte even called Murphy 'watermelon' at one point!! And Murphy went pretty hard at those white dudes in the Bar scene...

This movie is special in my mind because it was hard to tell if the leads had any fondness for each other at all but DAMN did they have chemistry
The lack of gutsy film making these days sucks but what can you do...big $$$ at stake and people get very offended