On this episode of Clear and Present Dudes we dive into Bruce Willis’s 1993 river‑bound thriller Striking Distance — a gloriously daft, oddly giallo‑tinged cop movie that somehow rules. We follow former homicide detective‑turned‑river rescue cop Tom Hardy (Willis) as a string of “Polish Hill” murders, a brutal car chase, and the death of his dad (John Mahoney) pull him back into a mess of cops, family loyalties, and one maniacal ex‑partner (a deliciously unhinged Robert Pastorelli), and Tom Sizemore (also unhinged). We break down the movie’s best bits — the raw car chase through Pittsburgh, prodigious use of a marine distress flare, the boat chases, the tasing finale (Spoiler for 1993: a taser‑in‑the‑mouth), and the wig‑reveal Easter egg from Willis’s Pulp Fiction schedule. We also argue about whether the film’s reshoots turned a moodier, Italian‑horror‑influenced script into an action‑heavy “dipshit thriller,” celebrate the quotable one‑liners, and cheer the practical effects and needle‑drops (creepy Little Red Riding Hood motif included). If you like 90s cop movies, messy productions, boat porn, or just Bruce Willis being Bruce Willis, come aboard — we’ve got jokes, hot takes, and more Pittsburgh pride than is strictly necessary. Tune in, subscribe, and prepare to argue about who really is the best cop.Starring Bruce Willis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Farina and Tom Sizemore - Striking Distance is a fascinating relic from Rowdy Herrington (Road House). No spies or soldiers here, but still many clear and present dudes! Note: This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers.
