Bullet Points: Backstreet Justice
Justice isn’t always pretty. When a person wrongs another person, the police and judicial system cannot always be counted on to neatly resolve the situation for all parties. That is why we get vigilante justice, and when it comes to action movies it is hard to beat vigilante justice. I especially love a vigilante that is not afraid to get dirty and try some off the beaten path tactics to get justice. So what’s wrong with taking the back streets? Absolutely nothing… as long as you are not afraid to ruffle some feathers. Luckily for you, I just happen to have some Bullet Points for a 1994 action film that takes you along for the ride of female private investigator unraveling corruption without having to dirty your own hands. Join me as we turn the corner and head over to Backstreet Justice.
- Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Keri Finnegan (Linda Kozlowski) is a rough and tough private investigator in a rough and tough part of Pittsburgh. How rough and tough is the part of town? The movie opens with an all-out brawl in an apartment between a police officer and an elderly lady. Of course, we learn that the police officer isn’t really a police officer and the elderly lady is really Finnegan under cover, but it is still one of the better opening fights with the pair using everything in the apartment, save the proverbial kitchen sink. Finnegan is on the case for her neighborhood because there have been murders and the police don’t seem to be able to do anything about the crimes. Many of her neighbors love Finnegan, but others, along with the cops, hate Finnegan because her deceased father is a disgraced former police officer.
- Quit Playing Games (with My Heart) – One member of the police force that still likes Finnegan is Nick Donovan (John Shea.) Donovan and Finnegan were formerly an item, and may still be down for a roll in the hay, if you are lucky, but Donovan’s boss Captain Giarusso (Paul Sorvino) has the largest hate boner for Finnegan because he lost a family member in the alleged wrongdoing of Finnegan’s father. Rounding out the familiar relationships is Steve Donovan (Hector Elizondo,) the stepfather of Nick, surrogate father of Finnegan, and outgoing district attorney. Backstreet Justice hits you hard with Nick and Steve’s love for Finnegan and Giarusso’s hate. I don’t want to spoil anything, but when a move goes that hard to make you think one way, don’t be surprised when it goes another. The one reason it works in Backstreet Justice is with the talents of Shea, Sorvino, and Elizondo.
- I Want It That Way – Keri Finnegan is one of the most underrated tough chicks in film. Linda Kozlowski, most famous for the Crocodile Dundee film series, wasn’t too long for the acting game, but she was a pleasant surprise in Backstreet Justice. There are numerous scenes of Finnegan running all over the place, up and down fire escapes, on rooftops, through windows, mixing it up with different men, and showing expertise with handguns and even a bomb. Finnegan takes a beating in Backstreet Justice, but she is able to give it just as well as she gets. I don’t want to watch a Pittsburgh action movie that doesn’t feature uniquely Pittsburgh traits, like the three rivers and an abundance of hills. Backstreet Justice doesn’t disappoint with a riverboat shooting and an action set piece on one of the Mt. Washington inclines.
Backstreet Justice is a vigilante action film that isn’t afraid to get a little dirty. Finnegan is not a hero who is larger than life, but just a headstrong woman that puts her body on the line for her neighborhood. The conspiracy in Backstreet Justice that has something to do with real estate and the mafia losing the numbers game (damn state run lotteries) is only important to keep the plot moving so we can get to the next action piece and watch Finnegan kicks some ass or get her ass kicked. Finnegan gives it her all in Backstreet Justice, but luckily for you this is not all I have to give as this Bullet Points would be incomplete without Bonus Bullet Points.
- Worst Gift – Finnegan gives Steve Donovan a beret as a gift. While that is a pretty poor gift to give someone, Steve exacerbates the situation by actually wearing the beret.
- Steel City Cameo – Famed Pittsburgh Steeler running back, and Vietnam War hero, Rocky Bleier makes a blink and you’ll miss him appearance as himself.
- Racially Insensitive Question – Finnegan questioning her African American (supposed) friend, “Where the hell were you anyway? What did you do, pass a watermelon stand you couldn’t resist?”
- Perpetuating Stereotypes Answer – And his answer, “Colonel Sanders.”
- Mid90s – In case you were ever unsure when Backstreet Justice took place, you can easily tell by the unflattering mid 90s wardrobe they gave Finnegan with her grunge look replete with flannel shirts, Dr. Martens, thermal underwear and denim with holes for the entire movie… except for that roll in the hay.
- As Long as You Love Me – I love a movie that features microfiche.
- Yinz Are Corrupt – Backstreet Justice is just one of many films that love to show corruption in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Striking Distance, AKA the Pittsburgh River Police Movie, and Street Corner Justice are just a couple of examples that shine an unfavorable light on Pittsburgh’s finest.
- Action, Baby! – Actually, the plot of Backstreet Justice is kind of like if the Pittsburgh police corruption portion of Striking Distance and the Pittsburgh real estate scheme portion of Rappin’ had a baby… an entertaining little action baby.
- … And Justice For All – Speaking of Backstreet Justice and Street Corner Justice, if you are interested in more movies with justice feel free to check out Raw Justice, Mercenary for Justice, Ultimate Justice, Steele Justice, Brotherhood of Justice, Sworn to Justice, American Justice, Sweet Justice, Señorita Justice, Hard Justice, Mission of Justice, or Extreme Justice.
