Cohen and Tate

Cohen and Tate, released in 1988, delves into the gritty world of organized crime, alliance, and conflict. Directed by Eric Red and starring standout performances by Roy Scheider, Adam Baldwin, and Harley Cross, this crime thriller promises suspense, action, and unexpected twists in its storytelling.

From the first scenes, the viewer is immediately drawn into the unfolding action. The film opens with the nine-year-old Travis Knight, portrayed remarkably by Harley Cross. Travis is a key witness to a Mafia crime, making him an invaluable piece for the prosecution against the organized crime syndicate. As his parents are taken out in a horrific home invasion, Travis is left alone in the unforgiving world. Wounded and terrified, Travis is the last vestige of evidence the FBI holds, marking him as a target for anyone who wants him silenced.

Enter the titular characters Cohen and Tate, portrayed by Roy Scheider and Adam Baldwin, respectively. The two are a pair of hitmen hired by the Mafia to kidnap Travis to prevent him from testifying. However, they are no ordinary criminals. Cohen, older and wiser, is a seasoned professional who operates by a code and prefers a smooth, no-nonsense approach to his job. On the other hand, Tate is a hothead, a loose cannon who enjoys the sense of power and control through intimidation and violence in his line of work.

Their differing personalities set the stage for an uneasy alliance that soon turns into a fiery conflict of interests. They must transport Travis from Houston to their Mafia bosses in California, imbuing the movie with a palpable sense of tension as they start their long, dangerous, road trip, simultaneously trying to evade law enforcement.

The bulk of the movie takes place within the confines of their vehicle, transforming into a cat-and-mouse game not only between the hitmen and the law or between the boy and his kidnappers but also between the hitmen themselves. Travis, stuck in the middle of this deadly tug-of-war, knows he must pit his captors against each other if he hopes to survive. Cross, being the youngest of the principal actors, delivers a commendable performance, matching up to his older co-stars.

Scheider lends a masterful touch to Cohen, his stern demeanor masks a measure of compassion that slowly surfaces throughout the film. Baldwin as Tate fills the screen with menace, evoking a sense of dread and unpredictability that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. These two veteran actors succeed in giving depth to their characters, crafting characters who are more than just black-and-white villains.

Director Eric Red creates a bleak, suspenseful atmosphere throughout Cohen and Tate, adeptly using the claustrophobic surroundings to heighten the tense standoffs and explosive outbursts that punctuate the plot. With its primary focus on the three characters, the film succeeds in building a pervasive sense of danger and doom that propels the narrative forward.

While the film centers around violence and crime, it doesn't paint an overly graphic picture. Rather it hints at the savagery lying just out of sight, more imagined than seen, underscoring the psychological terror that pervades this road journey.

Cohen and Tate set itself apart from other crime movies of the '80s by combining gripping suspense with a character-driven plot. Great performances, a legitimate sense of danger along with the tightly-wound, engaging narrative make this film an entertaining watch for fans of the crime thriller genre. The film succeeds in creating a riveting drama of survival, conflict, and unlikely alliances, challenging the viewer's views on morality, empathy, and the boundaries people are willing to cross under dire circumstances.