This film marked a reunion of Bill Cosby and Robert Culp-who also directed this one-from the "I Spy" TV series. In that show, they were spies that seemed to be having fun wherever they went. Here, they're detectives who've experienced many hardships and are going to experience more which makes this more of a downer to anyone expecting anything fun. To tell the truth, the plot mostly confused me but when it gets near the end and something tragic happens to one of them, that's when I was excited about the outcome. The script was written by a newcomer named Walter Hill who eventually also started directing a few years later, having eventually helmed Eddie Murphy's impressive film debut in 48 HRS. I noticed some of the supporting players, then got surprised when I didn't recognized others when looking at the end cast list. So on that note, I say give Hickey & Boggs a chance.

First time producer Fouad Said, a former cameraman who worked on a number of episodes of the "I Spy" TV series (1965-68), joined forces with erstwhile associates Bill Cosby and Robert Culp to make 'Hickey & Boggs', a crime thriller written by neophyte screenwriter (later director-producer) Walter Hill ('48 Hours'). Viewers expecting a feature-length episode of "I Spy" were in for a surprise. The TV series was cool and jaunty: "Man from U.N.C.L.E." for hipsters. 'Hickey & Boggs' is grim, gritty, and downbeat with Cosby and Culp deliberately working against their glamorous TV star personae by playing Al Hickey and Frank Boggs as two world-weary, down-at-the-heels private investigators facing the moral wasteland of contemporary Los Angeles with a growing sense of powerlessness and despair. In its heyday (c.1940–1957), film noir typically espoused a bleak view of human nature and modern society but sometimes held out the possibility of the hero's redemption through honor and heroism. By the early Seventies such romantic notions of individual agency seemed quaint if not deluded. Accordingly, the movie's complicated plot, involving stolen money from a bank heist, vengeful mobsters, no-nonsense cops, and volatile revolutionaries, soon expands beyond the ability of the protagonists to control it, or even affect the situation to any discernible degree. After surviving an apocalyptic showdown, Hickey complains to Boggs: "Nobody came, nobody cares. It's still not about anything." Enfeebled by a world of intrigue that renders them mere adjuncts to the action, Hickey and Boggs are further emasculated in the war of the sexes. Neither is able to sustain a marriage, or even a healthy relationship. Hickey is to blame when his estranged wife, Nyona (Rosalind Cash) is murdered by the mob. Boggs, an alcoholic, frequents a bar where his ex- wife, Edith (Sheila Sullivan; Culp's actual wife at the time), works as a stripper and taunts him from the stage while revealing her assets. Cynical and nihilistic in the extreme, 'Hickey & Boggs' did poor box office; even by the pessimistic standards of its time, it was a bummer. Also featured is James Woods in an early film role. VHS (2003) and DVD (2004).

The plot jumps all over the place and makes it a confusing watch, trying to figure out how, what, who and why this scene is happening is a struggle. Shame as the cast, photography and score are all first class. Walter Hill's script (8/10) deserved a more experienced director who is great with the cast but cannot make a coherent story. The direction and editing are a master class in how not to make a film. If your a fan of seventies film noir then there is much to still enjoy, i liked Robert Culp's scene in the strip joint where is hangdog face works a treat. And it's always fun watching actors when they are pretty young - James Woods and Michael Moriarty look younger than the socks i'm wearing.

Robert Culp directed this tough '70s crime flick about two down on thier luck private investigators in LA. Culp and Cosby are miles away from the characters they played in I SPY, but the chemistry is still their. Another note - several prominent actors make early appearances in this film - James Woods, and Michael Moriarty. Vincent Gardenia appears in the cliche role of the put upon, aggravated police contact. Good news - this film is now available on DVD. The company releasing it on DVD is AIP films. Quality of the transfer is mediocre, but it's still worth it to see this underrated film again.