In Hot Pursuit

I wanted to like In Hot Pursuit (AKA “Polk County Pot Plane”) if only because of the location. According to some of the locations given in the dialogue this takes place practically in my back yard. I was watching hard for anything that looked familiar but either the area has changed too much since the 70's or it wasn't filmed on location.

Supposedly based on a true story this is about hillbilly drug runners. A pilot flies the pot in where Oosh, Doosh (yes, those are actually the characters' names), and their crew pick it up for delivery. But the cops have gotten wind of their operation, and that lands the boys in jail. Upon escaping they discover that a new kingpin has taken over their operation, and this little man is quick to shoot anyone he doesn't like (though why she shoots a pilot good enough to successfully get in and out of a prison while under fire is beyond me).

The new kingpin has a job for the boys but reveals that he intends for them to pay up for the pot they lost in the earlier botched run. So the crew plans a heist to provide a means to get out of trouble with him.

When things go badly Oosh and Doosh decide they are done with crime until they are approached with the biggest run of their lives. Is it worth one more stab to make it to the big time? It's make or break time for them. One screw up and either the cops or the kingpin is going to have their heads for trophies.

I'm not a fan of criminals-as-heroes movies in general. The only thing going for this one really is that it's so bad it's funny. The acting is comically bad, and the police chases (which count for a lot of the movie's run time) are sometimes dull. When they aren't dull it isn't because they're exciting but because they're amusing. Watching a big rig drive through a house or a half destroyed camper running from cop cars is kind of fun.

I expected this to be a comedy based on the opening music which has a zany sound to it. And who names a character “Doosh” if the movie isn't a comedy? There are a couple of amusing moments (mostly the ones I mentioned in the chase scenes) but mostly this is supposed to be a dramatic action. Oosh and Doosh have to deal with the loss of friends, the threat of the kingpin, and other such difficulties in life. It's not terribly dramatic, though, if for no other reason than because the actors can't pull it off.

MORALITY:

According to the DVD info this is rated PG. It sure seems to have a lot of strong language for a PG movie, but I guess it's just tame enough to keep the lower rating.

The subject matter involves drug running, and the guys talk about smoking pot several times. They are shown smoking something, but it could be just cigarettes.

There's little if any sexuality and no nudity.

SPIRITUALITY:

Beyond the questionable drug content and such, the movie treats criminal activity like it's just another occupational option (if a little hazardous).

FINAL THOUGHTS:

If this had made me laugh more I might have enjoyed it more. Beyond a few amusing moments there was little to hold my interest.

#InHotPursuit