Richard T. Heffron's unrated and seemingly forgotten crime movie "Newman's Law" is George Peppard's take on "Dirty Harry." Peppard plays a straightforward, blue-collar, undercover sergeant who polishes his shoes, puts on his spectacles when reading is required, and checks up on his father in a nursing home. He is as saintly a cop as you can imagine, and he is dealing with not only a ruthless mafia chieftain and his own department. Like most 1970s police procedural, you have a corrupt cop on the take concealed somewhere in the action. "Newman's Law" provides us with two dirty cops. The first one emerges early on after our heroes make a major narcotics bust, while the second one remains dormant until the finale. Vincent Newman (George Peppard of "Operation Crossbow") and his African-American LAPD partner Garry (Roger Robinson of "Willie Dynamite") get lucky and make a major bust. They knock over some trashcans so that the trash litters the street. Interpreting this as a crime that requires investigating, the two enter the building and find a fortune hidden in the floor. One of the guys who comes out catches a bullet when he tries to flee the scene of the crime. Newman wounds him in the leg, but somebody uses blunt force trauma and kills him. Newman is brought up on charges after the Internal Affairs Division finds a bag of narcotics in his small, modest apartment. A three-time loser and full-time liar points the finger at Newman, but our hero doesn't serve any time. Contrived, predictable, and grim right down to the end, "Newman's Law" doesn't contain any car chases or major stunts. Director Richard Heffron and "Banacek" scenarist Anthony Wilson have created a serviceable but flat-footed thriller with an ending that comes as a relief more than a catharsis. Not only does Vincent's partner go down leaving a wife and son to fend for themselves, Vincent checks out himself after a home invasion shoot-out, but he takes down the villains. Peppard delivers his usual clench-jawed performance and incorporates interesting little touches to his character. The sprained ankle during an introductory foot chase is an example. "Newman's Law" is nothing outstanding either as a police potboiler or a Peppard movie. Nevertheless, it is the kind of movie that is difficult to like despite its excellent location photography and gritty action. Indeed, you've got to love uncompromising tough guy cop thrillers that refuse to pull their punches to enjoy this solid if unsavory mix of heroics and authenticity. I cannot imagine anybody wanting to watch this movie for fun and games, because there is nothing remotely charismatic about it.
Review of Newman's Law
