Strapping in for a Tom Hanks film is never a joy for me. I just have never cared for the actor, nor have I seen him in any captivating roles, with the exception of the 2015 film Bridge of Spies; even then, I was much more captivated by the acting of Mark Rylance--who would win an Academy Award for the role. Turner & Hooch, however, was a surprisingly enjoyable Tom Hanks role. The 1989 film co- starring Mare Winningham made Hanks a compulsive investigator who suddenly becomes caretaker to a large slobbering dog who remains the only witness to a homicide. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, Turner & Hooch was great for what it was, a fun comedic crime drama from the 80's.
Scott Turner, an investigator for his local police department, is just days ahead of a move to the Sacramento police department to join the big dogs of crime fighting. Well-liked in his neighborhood, Turner is training his replacement and teaching him the intricacies of the locals when on of the very neighbors they met together is murdered. Considering his dog Hooch is the only "eyewitness" to the homicide, he suddenly becomes vital to the police department due to the possible assistance he may be able to provide in cracking the case of his owner's murder. The only trouble is, Hooch is a huge, grungy, slobbering dog that is too much for most people to handle. Turner is definitely not ideal to take Hooch, as he is compulsively neat about every detail of his life. Turner, having a kinship to Hooch as the last piece of remembrance of his sweet owner, decides to keep him, which in turn saves Hooch's life who would otherwise be put down if not taken in by someone. After a checkup with the local vet, Dr. Emily Carson (Mare Winningham), the three form a unique friendship, all the while working together to solve the case of Hooch's murdered master.
Scott Turner is everything I used to be. Orderly, compulsive, and detail-oriented, believing that the only way to live a life was through a routine. Luckily for both of us, we realized there was a bigger picture at play than our small parts in the world. The blossoming romance between Hanks and Winningham was a fun addition to the crime angle of the story. It was also fun to see Tom Hanks in such an early role, where I find him more tolerable. The film itself was a bit predictable, but if you go into this viewing with an expectation to only have a little fun with a lighthearted dog/human crime comedy, you won't be disappointed. What's more aggravating are the contrived sad moments within the film. Good directing and storytelling will bring about the emotions intended from the audience without overtly pushing the audience toward the tissue box. Again, however, the lazy directing can be forgiven if you know what you are getting yourself into, which is a fun 80's comedy. All-in- all, you could skip Turner & Hooch and never be the wiser, personally, I'm glad I saw it for a fun young Tom Hanks role.
Scott Turner, an investigator for his local police department, is just days ahead of a move to the Sacramento police department to join the big dogs of crime fighting. Well-liked in his neighborhood, Turner is training his replacement and teaching him the intricacies of the locals when on of the very neighbors they met together is murdered. Considering his dog Hooch is the only "eyewitness" to the homicide, he suddenly becomes vital to the police department due to the possible assistance he may be able to provide in cracking the case of his owner's murder. The only trouble is, Hooch is a huge, grungy, slobbering dog that is too much for most people to handle. Turner is definitely not ideal to take Hooch, as he is compulsively neat about every detail of his life. Turner, having a kinship to Hooch as the last piece of remembrance of his sweet owner, decides to keep him, which in turn saves Hooch's life who would otherwise be put down if not taken in by someone. After a checkup with the local vet, Dr. Emily Carson (Mare Winningham), the three form a unique friendship, all the while working together to solve the case of Hooch's murdered master.
Scott Turner is everything I used to be. Orderly, compulsive, and detail-oriented, believing that the only way to live a life was through a routine. Luckily for both of us, we realized there was a bigger picture at play than our small parts in the world. The blossoming romance between Hanks and Winningham was a fun addition to the crime angle of the story. It was also fun to see Tom Hanks in such an early role, where I find him more tolerable. The film itself was a bit predictable, but if you go into this viewing with an expectation to only have a little fun with a lighthearted dog/human crime comedy, you won't be disappointed. What's more aggravating are the contrived sad moments within the film. Good directing and storytelling will bring about the emotions intended from the audience without overtly pushing the audience toward the tissue box. Again, however, the lazy directing can be forgiven if you know what you are getting yourself into, which is a fun 80's comedy. All-in- all, you could skip Turner & Hooch and never be the wiser, personally, I'm glad I saw it for a fun young Tom Hanks role.