Watch Q&A
- R
- 1990
- 2 hr 12 min
-
6.6 (7,156)
Q&A is a 1990 crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet, based on the novel of the same name by Edwin Torres. The film follows Mike Brennan (Nick Nolte), a corrupt cop in charge of the investigation of two Puerto Rican drug dealers who are murdered in a brothel. As Brennan starts to uncover evidence, he becomes involved with a young assistant district attorney named Aloysius "Al" Reilly (Timothy Hutton), who begins to suspect that Brennan is not only crooked but complicit in the murders.
Armand Assante plays a wealthy drug dealer named Bobby Texador, who is at the center of Brennan's investigation. As Brennan delves deeper into Texador's empire, his own alliances and loyalties are called into question. Meanwhile, Reilly becomes increasingly convinced that Brennan is corrupt, and he works tirelessly to uncover the truth.
The film is set in New York City's Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and it vividly portrays the grit and violence of the drug trade in the 1980s. The characters are complex and multidimensional, and the film explores themes of corruption, loyalty, and betrayal. Throughout the film, Lumet uses a non-linear narrative structure, moving back and forth in time to explore the different characters' motivations and relationships.
Q&A is a tense and gripping crime drama that showcases some powerhouse performances. Nick Nolte gives a standout performance as the morally dubious Brennan, who becomes increasingly unhinged as the investigation progresses. Timothy Hutton also shines as the idealistic Reilly, who is determined to uphold the law no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Armand Assante brings a sense of danger and menace to his portrayal of Texador, a charismatic and ruthless drug kingpin who will stop at nothing to protect his empire. The supporting cast is also strong, with standout performances from Luis Guzmán as one of Texador's henchmen, Jenny Lumet as Brennan's girlfriend, and Charles S. Dutton as a police captain.
Overall, Q&A is a gritty and powerful crime drama that explores the complexities of the criminal justice system and human nature itself. With its impeccable cast and sharp direction from Sidney Lumet, it is a film that remains relevant and engaging to this day.
Q&A is a 1990 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 66.