Burnt-out Los Angeles cop (the kind who hides a flask of whiskey in his jacket pocket) is framed for the murders of his estranged wife and her escort; he assumes the hit was ordered by a local mafioso, but the killer is actually a female psychopath whom the cop sent up the river ten years ago and is now exacting her revenge. Better-produced than most of the Golan-Globus action-programmers of the 1980s, and star Charles Bronson is surprisingly energetic throughout, but this is otherwise pretty sleazy stuff. The illogical situations and unconvincing police scenario aside, Gail Morgan Hickman's screenplay is full of embarrassing, Z-grade dialogue (with an emphasis on homophobic slurs and bodily functions) which must have shamed veteran movie director J. Lee Thompson. An unusually strong supporting cast makes it tolerable, and the location for the film's final showdown is an interesting one. *1/2 from ****

"Murphy's Law" is predictable Bronson 80's fare rendered unwatchable by the character of "Arabella McGee," a Tourettes-stricken six year-old in the body of an adult woman. Bronson spends most of the movie metaphorically handcuffed to McGee, his "mismatched" buddy who speaks only in grade school trash talk.Among her more pathetic insults are "dinosaur dork," "sperm bank," "booger-sucking pimple vomit," "camel-crotch," and "bug-sucking barf-brains." Any producer/writer/director who thought this sort of vulgar stupidity would be funny probably didn't make many movies after this one. It's the type of loud, offensive stunt that ruins the movie and reveals just how clueless the filmmakers are.What's the point of continuing the review? The plot, a simple revenge story, is derailed by Kathleen Wilhoite's unrelenting foulmouth, a constant reminder of the ignorance and indifference that went into this mindless Golan-Globus flop. I'm out.GRADE: FPS- If you're ever subjected to this trash be sure to stay tuned for the laughably-awful theme song during the end credits... it's the cherry on this s#it-sundae :)

while he was still making movies for cannon films which is no longer in existence, bronson took the lead in this cop thriller from the early eighties. he stars as jack murphy a worn and beaten down cop who has been framed for the murder of his wife who left him to become a stripper in a sleazy bar. while on the run from the mob as well, and trying to clear his name, he is handcuffed to a mouthy petty thief named arabella mcgee. considering it is kathleen whilhoite's first starring role in a feature (she plays arabella) she turned in a great and funny performance. she has a mouth like a trucker but has some very creative and imaginative ways of telling people off who displease her ie. snot-licking donkey fart among other things. while she is more than half of bronson's age the writers were trying to build some kind of weird sexual tension between the two and it clearly wasn't working. it came off more creepy and awkward than anything else. while bronson's later movies won't win any awards it will keep you entertained.

Charles Bronson was a rare actor who's very name promised excitement. The son of a Pennsylvania coal miner he rose to prominence playing rough tough characters. This excellent film is a case in point. The movie is called " Murphy's Law " and is from first to last, a superior role for him. Bronson plays Jack Murphy a tougher than nails police detective who's life is on the skids. His wife has divorced him, he's become an alcoholic, insulted the Mafia and now someone has set in motion enough crimes to framed him for several murders and a dozen major felonies. The result will send him away to prison for life. No sooner than he gets arrested, he meets up with foul mouth car thief Arabella McGee (Kathleen Wilhoite) who is literally chained to him as they try to stay out of jail long enough to find out who is behind all the killings. Carrie Snodgress, Robert F. Lyons and Richard Romanus add to a fine cast. Together they create enough rapid fire, fast paced action and explosive excitement to torch the screen. The film is a mixture of sympathetic police drama and physical confrontations to allow any audience to enjoy a lively Bronson movie. Excellent movie fare. ****