Gang Related

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For other uses, see Gang Related (disambiguation).
Gang Related
Gang related ver1.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJim Kouf
Written byJim Kouf
Produced byJohn Bertolli
Brad Krevoy
Steven Stabler
Starring
CinematographyBrian J. Reynolds
Edited byTodd C. Ramsay
Music byMickey Hart
Production
companies
Kouf/Bigelow Productions
Orion Pictures
Distributed byMGM Distribution Co.
Release date
October 8, 1997
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$5.9 million[1]

Gang Related, alternatively known as Criminal Intent,[2] is a 1997 American crime thriller film written and directed by Jim Kouf starring James Belushi, Tupac Shakur, Dennis Quaid, Lela Rochon, David Paymer and James Earl Jones. The film revolves around two corrupt cops who attempt to frame a homeless man for the murder of an undercover DEA agent they themselves had killed. The film, Shakur's last, was released a year after his death.

Synopsis[]

Vice police detectives Frank Divinci (James Belushi) and Jake Rodriguez (Tupac Shakur) gun down narcotics dealer Lionel Hudd (Kool Moe Dee), after the two engage illegally in drug trafficking; this is in order to recover the cocaine Hudd purchased from them. When Divinci and Rodriguez find out Hudd was actually a "deep cover" DEA agent — because Hudd's partner, Richard Simms (Gary Cole) drops by their precinct for help sniffing out the killers — they try to frame anyone else with the murder. They frame William McCall (Dennis Quaid), a homeless man, by getting him intoxicated and making him plead guilty to the crime. The two get a witness by pressing a stripper, Cynthia Webb (Lela Rochon), whom Divinci has a relationship with, to pick McCall out of a lineup and act as a witness to the crime. The judge sentences McCall to prison. After McCall is released from prison, Rodriguez records Divinci's confession about the killing. In response, Divinci points the gun at Rodriguez and forces him out of the car. Rodriguez has a breakdown inside his apartment just as two bookies arrive, who shoot and kill Rodriguez. The police and the detectives examine the crime scene inside Rodriguez's apartment and find the damaged tape containing Divinci's confession about the murder. Attorney Baylor (James Earl Jones) questions Webb about the murder of Hudd, playing back a part of the tape where Divinci admits that he intends to murder Webb. Webb confesses to Baylor the truth about Divinci killing Hudd. Divinci hides in Webb's apartment and accuses her of betrayal. He shoots her in the shoulder. Webb is wheeled into the hospital where McCall passes by her gurney. Divinci arranges for a limo to take him to the airport. A limo driver, revealed to be Clive Dunbar, shoots and kills Divinci inside the limousine and abandons the limousine in the alley.

Cast[]

Reception[]

Gang Related opened in North America in 1,260 theaters and made $2,443,237 with an average of $1,939 per theater, ranking at No. 10 at the box office. The film ended up earning $5,906,773.[1] The film received mixed reviews, and has the rating of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on seventeen reviews, with an average rating of 5.4 out of 10.[3] The film was released in the United Kingdom on August 14, 1998, and opened on #11.[4] Roger Ebert appraised the film more positively in an episode of At the Movies:

The screenplay shows a lot of nerve is making the central characters into villains. We identify, I think, with them anyway to a degree, maybe because they trigger our own built-in guilt. The dialogue crackles with life and energy. There are a lot of colorful characters. My only complaint is that the ending is a little too neat after everything that's gone before. This movie is good enough to deserve a better ending.[5]

About the movie's reception and box office results, Jim Belushi said: "Right around that time, when that movie came out, there was a gang related shooting at a movie theater in Los Angeles. That just ruined the opening of that movie. Everyone was afraid to go to the movie theatre, especially with the title Gang Related. Nobody went. Regardless, it’s become kind of a cult film since its release."[6]

Soundtrack[]

Year Title Chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
U.S. U.S. R&B
1997 Gang Related – The Soundtrack 2 1
  • US: 2× Platinum

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Gang Related (1997) - Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Gang Related (1997)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  3. ^ Gang Related (1997), retrieved 2019-05-19
  4. ^ "Historical U.K. Weekend Box Office 14th August 1998 - 16th August 1998". www.25thframe.co.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Seven Years in Tibet, RocketMan, Boogie Nights, Gang Related, Washington Square, 1997". siskelebert.org. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  6. ^ https://cannatechtoday.com/jim-belushi-tupac-cannabis-more/

External links[]

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