For the first half-hour, it seems that this tale of a long-serving cop (Dabney Coleman) who thinks he's about to die is going to strike out. It's frenetic, over-played and awkward too. As soon as Dabney starts trying to get himself killed, though, the film moves into another gear. Never wildly funny, but consistently chucklesome, the main body of the film is packed with chases and mindlessly enjoyable. Divorced and depressed, Coleman is saddled with a partner who looks like Clint Eastwood and sounds like Kermit the Frog and a career that has eight days to run before retirement. Then there's a mix-up at the hospital and Coleman's told he has Wexler's Curtain: his retirement will be permanent in about 20 days. The only thing he can do is die in the line of duty and net 300,000 dollars' insurance for his young son. He sheds his bullet-proof vest and becomes a fearless vigilante cop - only to find himself bearing a charmed life. Teri Garr is, not for the first time, the best thing in the show as the wife bewildered by her ex-husband's sudden realisation of what's important in life.


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