License to Kill

December. 16,1986      
Rating:
5.5
Trailer Synopsis Cast

A grieving family whose daughter was killed in a car crash with a drunken driver is outraged and frustrated as they encounter the inevitable bureaucratic delays in bringing the case to trial. Once in the courtroom, they are horror-stricken as the young, hard-pressed district attorney seems unable to overcome the technicalities and maneuverings that the driver's attorney uses to keep his client out of jail and still on the streets as a legal driver. When the judge is forced to rule time and again in favor of the defense, it appears that the driver might escape punishment altogether.

James Farentino as  John Peterson
Penny Fuller as  Judith Peterson
Don Murray as  Tom Fiske
Millie Perkins as  Mary Fiske
Ari Meyers as  Amy Peterson
Donald Moffat as  Howard Webster
Jacqueline Brookes as  Judge Miriam Roth
Kristen Vigard as  Lynne Peterson
Denzel Washington as  Martin Sawyer
George Martin as  Steve

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Reviews

Perry Kate
1986/12/16

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

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SunnyHello
1986/12/17

Nice effects though.

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Matialth
1986/12/18

Good concept, poorly executed.

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Sameeha Pugh
1986/12/19

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

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Lechuguilla
1986/12/20

There's really not a whole lot to say about this low budget made-for-TV drama about two families whose lives intersect as a result of an accident involving a young girl and a drunk driver. The courtroom sequence in the second half contains some tension. And the overall acting is decent.Maybe in its day the movie had some merit as a propaganda tool. But a generation later, the film's blunt, too-direct theme is highly off-putting. The story is not particularly entertaining. Indeed, it is something of a downer. Characters are all cardboard cutouts, lacking any degree of complexity. The family of the victim is highly respectable and squeaky clean. The head of the other family is an arrogant businessman named Tom Fiske (Don Murray) who is easy to dislike. The film's plot is trite and predictable. Script dialogue contains very little subtext. And the film's low-key piano score reeks of cheap elevator music.I can think of no reason to recommend "License To Kill". Its thematic message of don't-drink-and-drive has long since been pounded and beaten into Americans, the highly moralistic theme belabored, ordained, and codified in countless other ways. To find films with relevant social themes, the viewer will need to look elsewhere.

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GeorgiaBound
1986/12/21

This movie might be a bit dated...but that doesn't change the fact that it is still very relevant today! Monsters are still getting behind the wheel after drinking and still injuring/killing innocent people! When someone drinks and knowingly gets behind the wheel and hurts or kills someone...they should be thrown in prison for life. That would be appropriate since they took the life of someone else! Denzel Washington might not have that big of a part in this film...but he was just starting out. The parts he does have are well-done! Ari Meyers does an excellent job as the grieving little sister. I hope I never have to deal with something so tragic as this family had to endure but they played their parts well. Bravo Denzel and to all the actors/actresses in this film. You did an excellent job!

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Zebrafil
1986/12/22

This film should be remembered for a lot more than Denzels presence. It was made to shock and it does. It makes one consider how easy it is to lose ones perspective on the road. The fact that the drunk driver had no conscious cognition of the level of his own responsibility until it was forced upon him is deep food for thought for everyone. The sad scene of someone asking the mother of the dead girl how she is doing in school is the sort of thing that can happen all to easily in a tragedy. This is the kind of thing one should view soberly and with thought. It needs to run more often for the good of society. Also the performance level is of a very high quality in a difficult and emotional script.

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rdetjen
1986/12/23

I picked this movie up because it looked pretty good and Denzel Washington was in it. I was pleasantly surprised with it, though when I realized how old it was, I didn't think I would enjoy it. It turned out that they used Denzel Washington as if he were a main character, but he was barely in it. However, it caught your attention in the horribleness of driving drunk. It should be shown to all kids getting ready to get their licenses and what can happen if you do drive while under the influence. A little depressing, the death of their daughter is very gripping and made me think of my own kids and the potential dangers, but definitely worth watching.

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