Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- irreverent
- lazy sunday
- action comedy night
What critics said
Critics generally agreed that the film begins with a promising and sometimes funny satire of the buddy cop formula but loses its bite and becomes a routine action comedy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film initially satirizes the mismatched-partner police formula through Mitch and Trey before moving toward conventional action-comedy.
Chase Renzi turns Mitch's investigation and police work into a reality television production designed for audience appeal.
Mitch's serious detective persona is repeatedly altered to fit television stereotypes of police officers.
The reality-show premise comments on buddy cop films, police television, celebrity performance, and audience expectations.
Films like Showtime, and why
The Other Guys
Both combine buddy cop comedy, police action, mismatched partners, and satirical genre self-awareness.
Rush Hour
Both use a mismatched police partnership, fast comic banter, and action-comedy conventions centered on urban law enforcement.
21 Jump Street
Both blend crime action with irreverent comedy and critique the artificial performance of policing for entertainment.
48 Hrs.
Both feature a straight-laced detective paired with a flamboyant comic partner in a brisk Hollywood buddy cop format.
Movie Details
- Director
- Tom Dey
- Release Date
- 2002-03-14
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 5.6 / 10 (1115)
Cast
- Robert De Niro
- Eddie Murphy
- Rene Russo
- William Shatner
- Nestor Serrano
- Joy Bryant
- Yasiin Bey
- Rachael Harris
- Peter Jacobson
- Drena De Niro
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Showtime about?
- A humorless Los Angeles detective and an attention-seeking aspiring actor are forced into a televised partnership that turns police work into entertainment.
- What is Showtime like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Showtime as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Showtime violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Showtime as mild.
- What did critics think of Showtime?
- Critics generally agreed that the film begins with a promising and sometimes funny satire of the buddy cop formula but loses its bite and becomes a routine action comedy.
- Which films are like Showtime?
- Films with a similar feel include The Other Guys, Rush Hour, 21 Jump Street, and 48 Hrs..
- How long is Showtime?
- Showtime runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Showtime?
- In United States, Showtime is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
