Mark Turner J. Lee Thompson and Charles Bronson had a long running partnership on screen. The duo ended up making nine pictures together over the years with this being their sixth collaboration. The only other director to work with Bronson this many times was Michael Winner with whom he made seven pictures. MURPHY'S LAW was one of the last major theatrical films Bronson released and thank goodness it's a not a bad movie.Bronson stars as LAPD detective Jack Murphy, one of those tough cops who takes no guff and who gets the job done better than most. Unfortunately he's going through a rough spell, separated from his wife and drinking more than he should. It's even more uncomfortable for him knowing she works in a strip club now.Things go from bad to worse when a psychopath Murphy helped put away is released from prison with revenge on her mind. Joan Freeman (Carrie Snodgrass) has it in her mind to take out everyone involved in the case that put her in prison ten years earlier. Her method of getting back at Murphy is to kill his wife and frame him for the murder.Murphy is arrested and when taken to the station handcuffed to the foul mouthed girl who stole his car that he arrested earlier in the film, Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite). Knowing that the odds are against him he escapes taking McGee with him and set out to clear his name and find out who the real killer is. This sets in motion a back and forth patter between the two as they begin to respect one another the longer they're together.As the body count rises while Freeman continues down her path of revenge against everyone involved, the clues eventually lead Murphy to realize who's behind it all. But no longer on the force he has to confront her on his own terms now as well as provide the evidence to clear his name.The use of opposites chained to one another has been a plot device used before, most notably in THE DEFIANT ONES, and it works well here. Both do a great job of fleshing out their characters though Wilhoite seems to do more of that than Bronson who's playing the type of role he'd become accustomed to at the time. Their back and forth adds a touch of humor as well as humanity to both characters.The action is enough to keep fans of Bronson satisfied and has enough story to make it a workable film. No doubt this is not award winning material but it does show why Bronson was once the top money making film star alive at one point. It gives fans exactly what they want from one of his movies and provides enough escapism to keep everyone interested from start to finish.Twilight Time is offering this film like they do all that they release with the best looking presentation there is or has been. Extras include an isolated score track, a commentary track featuring Wilhoite and film historian Nick Redman and the original theatrical trailer. As with all Twilight Time releases they are only making 3,000 copies so pick one up before they're gone if you're a Bronson fan.

Benedito Dias Rodrigues I really like Bronson's movies,the Stone face is great in action and is very bad with the crooks,now includes a new kind... women...which was framed by one them,funny too when he notice that the partners cop who didn't like him looks like gays...today probably such things should be politically incorrect,but in 1986 was cool...the chemistry between Bronson and Wilhoite works a lot...anyway the movie is plenty watchable the trio Bronson/Thompson/Golan Globus was in great shape!!! Resume: First watch: 1988 / How many: 3 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7

AaronCapenBanner Charles Bronson plays Jack Murphy, a veteran police detective who is framed for his ex-wife's murder by a loony killer he helped put away years ago, but who is now out and looking for revenge. Jack must go on the run handcuffed to a young car thief who hates him, but of course they must work together now to clear his name, since the killer is after them both...Awful film may well be Bronson's worst; utterly routine and predictable plot, uninspired direction(J. Lee Thompson, once a great director...), thoroughly unappealing and foul-mouthed characters that you care nothing about. The pits.

chrichtonsworld Charles Bronson is still the tough cop only this time very flawed. Which already can be seen in the first scene. His car gets stolen. Now he is able to chase the thief down and catch her,but somehow he gets tricked and assaulted in his precious family jewels. His initial reaction to his car being stolen is nowhere near the silent but deadly types he played before. The female thief (Kathleen Wilhoite) provides further comic relief with using the most creative insults you will ever hear in a movie. It is one of the best things in Murphy's law. And if this wasn't enough we also have a female villain who is beyond ruthless. Accompanied by some decent action and it is safe to say we have a winner on our hands.In my opinion far too underrated movie.