The Fugitive

(Andrew Davis, USA, 1993)

As action thrillers go, The Fugitive is a simple, strictly functional film. No messy social issues or stylish digressions get in the way of the plot as it drives from premise to resolution. Such intense single-mindedness pays off in a completely absorbing movie.

Inspired by the '60s television series of the same name, The Fugitive tracks the manic path of Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), framed for the murder of his wife and running like hell from operatives on both sides of the law. Unfortunately for Kimble, he is the special obsession of marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Wallace).

Within what is essentially one prolonged chase sequence, director Andrew Davis (The Package, 1989) and his writers work in a terrific variety of places, rhythms, moods and situations. Ford wears a single, panicked expression – the same one he wore in Polanski's Frantic (1988) – for the entire film, but Wallace's gruff charm is a real delight.

MORE Davis: Holes, A Perfect Murder

© Adrian Martin April 1994