Tango & Cash
Plot
In the 1989 action-comedy film "Tango & Cash," two polar opposite narcotics detectives, Ray Tango (Sylvester Stallone) and Gabriel Cash (Estelle Getty), are forced to put aside their differences and work together to take down a notorious crime lord. The movie opens with Tango, a no-nonsense, by-the-book cop from New York City, being sent to Los Angeles to investigate a major drug bust gone wrong. Meanwhile, Cash, a flamboyant, unconventional detective from L.A., is dealing with the fallout of a botched sting operation that has left him in a tight spot. As Tango and Cash are forced to team up to take down their common enemy, Yves Perret (Michael Jeter), a ruthless crime lord who has been using his vast wealth and influence to fuel his criminal empire. Perret is furious at the loss of income that Tango and Cash have caused him by taking down his drug operations, and he will stop at nothing to get revenge. As the two detectives work together, they initially clash due to their vastly different approaches to policing. However, as they dig deeper into the case, they begin to develop a begrudging respect for each other's skills and strengths. Despite their differences, they are able to put aside their personal animosity and work together to uncover Perret's sinister plans. Throughout the movie, Tango and Cash engage in a series of high-stakes showdowns with Perret's goons, as well as a number of comedic misadventures that provide some much-needed levity. Along the way, they also discover that there is more to each other than initially meets the eye, leading to a heartwarming moment of mutual understanding and respect. In the end, Tango and Cash are able to take down Perret's criminal empire, but not before he unleashes one final brutal attack on them. As the dust settles, the two detectives share a hearty laugh and a nod of appreciation for each other's skills, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship that will last long after the credits roll. With its blend of humor, action, and heart, "Tango & Cash" is a must-see for fans of 80s action-comedies.
Reviews
Thiago
For Saura, this feels like a routine, albeit a skilled one. Thinking about it, Saura and Zhang Yimou have many similarities: prolific output, involvement in the Olympics, group exercises, bold color palettes, traditional female roles... But that "fear, anxiety, history will always come to light" passage, someone like Zhang Yimou, as a 'national teacher,' couldn't film that... (We only have "you did something to me"). Furthermore, creative anxiety is projected through the film-within-a-film format, while also serving as a form of catharsis. Screening this film at the Wanping Theater is perfect. It's hard to describe the impact of the camera gradually pushing toward the silhouette of the two dancers against the sunrise backdrop (the high-contrast, slightly detail-lacking film becomes a style). Saura's approach of exposing the camera through mirrors is...
April
I've been putting this off for almost a month, and frankly, you've been a real letdown. (This is a more impactful and common way to express the sentiment in English)
Nevaeh
A play within a play, a dance within a dream - with dance as the language of desire, and drama as a condensed version of life itself. The recurring presence of cameras throughout provides clues and layers to the narrative. Otherwise, by the end, it's hard to tell where the performance ends and reality begins, or which is imitating the other.
Julian
A masterpiece! Saura's structure is just brilliant. To be able to tap into the dark history of military regimes prevalent in the Spanish-speaking world is a stroke of genius. The stage design is absolutely dazzling. However, a tango dance drama with this kind of structure can probably only be truly expressed through film; a stage performance would definitely fall short. Also, did the emergence of people from the turn of the century in that final, grand sequence perhaps inspire Angelopoulos's *The Weeping Meadow*?
Tucker
In the back left of the ground floor of the Grand Theater, a cellphone suddenly rang. On screen, the male lead's expression turned serious as he slowly looked in that direction, a startling and comedic fourth-wall-breaking moment.
Jordan
Tango & Cash seems to have the perfect blend of action and humor as it explores the chaotic dynamics between two cops and their ultimate showdown with a crime lord. A fun yet tense ride that keeps you guessing till the end!
