The Warner Archive January 23, 2018 DVD release of the 1993 urban drama "Judgment Night" being "a night in the life of" film makes it a great companion to the Archive release the same day of the (reviewed) '90s "night in the life of" film "SubUrbia."
Both movies reflect the existential crisis theme that is common in indie and indieish movies of the era. The recent high school graduate slackers in "SubUrbia" contemplate their most likely miserable future; the 30-something yuppies in "Judgment" reflect on whether they have gone soft while nocturnally trying to flee a psychotic drug dealer.
Considering that former brat packer Emilio Estevez stars in "Judgment" as Francis "Frank" Wyatt, it is apt that this film plays out like a dark and perverse version of an '80s John Hughes film. Young executive Frank, his two comparably successful buddies, and little brother John Wyatt (Stephen Dorff) live in upscale Chicago suburb Evanston.
Aptly cast Jeremy Piven plays obnoxious/weak link Ray Cochran, who provides many of the catalysts in this twisted tale of a boys' night gone wrong. This begins with Cochran pulling up to Chez Wyatt in a massive luxurious RV that he deceptively obtains.
The boys board the gas guzzler to attend a boxing match in Chicago. Heavy traffic en route first leads to the preliminary bout of the evening that also provides the first of many machismo tests.
Highly impulsive Ray then recklessly drives in an effort to circumvent the gridlock; this results in the boys getting lost in the inner city.
Subsequent callous disregard for common sense by Ray triggers events that result in the boys incurring the wrath of aforementioned pusher Fallon (Denis Leary). This in turn leads to a video-game style hot pursuit through neighborhoods that the future Masters of the Universe would never knowingly or willingly enter any time of the day or night despite the provided perspective that they are within 10 miles of their homes.
The first segment is one of the best and most humorous; our chums find themselves at the mercy of a modern-day Boxcar Willie and his entourage while Fallon searches the rail yard in a highly "Warriors; come out and plaaay" manner. One difference is that Fallon is looking to put a cap in a dome, rather than a Louisville Slugger up a butt.
The chase then progresses to a public housing project where the residents are reluctant to help. This leads to another incident in which Ray demonstrates a lack of character.
Out cats and mice move into the sewer, where the boys reach an shaky agreement that a male must reach a point where he decides if he is a man or a mouse; this leads to the prey being more willing to shoot back at the hunter.
The final showdown occurs in a large store where the boys have an awesome moment of glee in which it seems that they will enjoy an escape by cop. That not working out leads to the inevitable mano-a-mano showdown between Frank and Fallon. The significance of this includes whether Frank still is a man despite his now comfortable and violent confrontation free existence.
This being Hollywood ensures that Frank provides Fallon every chance to walk away as unbloodied as possible; the flip side of this is that the lingering effects of the Hays Code requires that Fallon leave the store either in handcuffs or a body bag.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Judgment" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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