I randomly came across this and thought I'd give 'ol Mel the benefit of the doubt and was both pleasantly entertained and mystified as to what this was supposed to be. We're quickly introduced to Charlie Waldo (Hunnam) a once e'nfant terrible supercop who quit in disgrace, besmirching the good name of the LAPD in the process. Waldo now owns 100 things only, lives in a trailer and eschews a car for a racing bike and the bus.
His former lover, Lorena (Baccarin) comes to see him in a flashy car, offering him a first private eye case...that of Alistair Pinch, a boozy Englishman who is known as much for knocking out crew as his acting plaudits. Gibson is Pinch as one part self parody, another part hamming it up in the best traditions of the aging thesps who took roles in Murder Mystery TV during its peak in the 70's.
Pinch is accused of murdering his wife in a drunken blackout and his studio are looking to bring the once famous cop in to help prove his innocence.
No sooner is Waldo on the case than a number of oddballs are on HIS case trying to prevent him from taking it. From former cop colleagues (Clancy Brown) to rappers and gangland figures.
This leads to the first bizarre trait of the character... he is seemingly a really bad fighter, and likes getting beat up...a LOT! It also shows that Waldo is despised by the LAPD and somewhat of a celebrity to others.
Waldo is "adopted" by Pinch and his daughter and her Kindergarten teacher is a thirst trap personified and provides a good love/person of interest.
The stakes are raised with another death that hits Waldo hard and sets him onto his other seemingly defining trait. He is clearly dealing with a lot of rage leftover from his days as a cop leading to him crashing rich parties and going vengeful.
Soon the culprit is apparent in one of those "one more thing" type moments with a bizarre chase and finale that seemingly sets this as a proof of concept for a new Columbo/Magnum style movie series than a box office smash.
Indeed, the characters are in place by the end in terms of sex appeal, police contact, underworld figure with a hidden depth of heart and harpy lawyer who no doubt would grudgingly have to call on Waldo's services.
Hunnam is likeable and while some of the supporting cast don't get as much to do as their billing might suggest as a proof of concept this could be a very good career move for Hunnam and for a few once big names back into TV or Streaming movies. It's easy to imagine former Sons of Anarchy alum appearing like Ron Perlman for example... or more once big names taking a punt on appearing much as those Columbo villains always did.
His former lover, Lorena (Baccarin) comes to see him in a flashy car, offering him a first private eye case...that of Alistair Pinch, a boozy Englishman who is known as much for knocking out crew as his acting plaudits. Gibson is Pinch as one part self parody, another part hamming it up in the best traditions of the aging thesps who took roles in Murder Mystery TV during its peak in the 70's.
Pinch is accused of murdering his wife in a drunken blackout and his studio are looking to bring the once famous cop in to help prove his innocence.
No sooner is Waldo on the case than a number of oddballs are on HIS case trying to prevent him from taking it. From former cop colleagues (Clancy Brown) to rappers and gangland figures.
This leads to the first bizarre trait of the character... he is seemingly a really bad fighter, and likes getting beat up...a LOT! It also shows that Waldo is despised by the LAPD and somewhat of a celebrity to others.
Waldo is "adopted" by Pinch and his daughter and her Kindergarten teacher is a thirst trap personified and provides a good love/person of interest.
The stakes are raised with another death that hits Waldo hard and sets him onto his other seemingly defining trait. He is clearly dealing with a lot of rage leftover from his days as a cop leading to him crashing rich parties and going vengeful.
Soon the culprit is apparent in one of those "one more thing" type moments with a bizarre chase and finale that seemingly sets this as a proof of concept for a new Columbo/Magnum style movie series than a box office smash.
Indeed, the characters are in place by the end in terms of sex appeal, police contact, underworld figure with a hidden depth of heart and harpy lawyer who no doubt would grudgingly have to call on Waldo's services.
Hunnam is likeable and while some of the supporting cast don't get as much to do as their billing might suggest as a proof of concept this could be a very good career move for Hunnam and for a few once big names back into TV or Streaming movies. It's easy to imagine former Sons of Anarchy alum appearing like Ron Perlman for example... or more once big names taking a punt on appearing much as those Columbo villains always did.