The January Man

Name: The January Man
Genre: Action, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Released: January 13, 1989
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 33
Cast: Alan Rickman, Danny Aiello, Faye Grant, Harvey Keitel, Jayne Haynes

1989

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

No score yet

tbd

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

tbd	Your Score
tbd	User Score No score yet

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The January Man

Now Playing: The January Man

Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: January 13, 1989 | R

Starring: Alan Rickman, Danny Aiello, Faye Grant, Harvey Keitel, Jayne Haynes, Kenneth Welsh, Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Rod Steiger, Susan Sarandon

Summary: Two years after being forced out of NYPD, quirky Nick is rehired by the mayor to catch a serial killer after the 11th murder of a woman.

Director: Pat O'Connor

Genre(s): Action, Mystery, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

Kevin Kline as an unorthodox but indispensable detective tracking a serial strangler infuses this improbable Gotham-set romantic policier with personality. Read full review

Sheila Benson

The January Man is nothing to seek out if you want airtight logic. What it offers is charm, blather, the dazzlement of writing and performance that wear thin well before the final, credulity-straining quarter. Read full review

Jay Carr

As he proved in his screenplay for Moonstruck, John Patrick Shanley has an ear for New Yorkese and a soft spot for eccentrics. Both are in evidence in The January Man, but what could have been an offbeat, original cop movie fails because Shanley can't meet the more conventional requirements of the genre, such as plotting, characterization and suspense. [13 Jan 1989, p.47]

Rick Groen

Only the comedy is successful, and only intermittently. [14 Jan 1989]

Ted Mahar

January Man has some amusing moments, and Mastrantonio manages to make her character interesting, but one can't forget that this cliche-packed, improbable script came from the author of Moonstruck. [16 Jan 1989, p.C06]

Rita Kempley

Moonstruck writer John Patrick Shanley and Irish director Pat O'Connor are absolutely out of their league, a couple of artists slumming, hoping to bring sensitivity to a genre that could well use it. But all they've done is make you appreciate the true value of the car chase. Read full review

Vincent Canby

The January Man is well titled. It's a big-budget mainstream production that, in spite of its first-rate writer, director and cast, manages to fail in just about every department. Read full review

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

tbd

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

Trailesque

May 12, 2023

Writer John Patrick Shanley was on a roll back then; this is one of 4 of his scripts that were released between 1987 and 1990. This does not seem especially heartfelt, but it is an entertaining movie - a mix of serial killer mystery and romantic comedy, plus a little family drama for goodWriter John Patrick Shanley was on a roll back then; this is one of 4 of his scripts that were released between 1987 and 1990. This does not seem especially heartfelt, but it is an entertaining movie - a mix of serial killer mystery and romantic comedy, plus a little family drama for good measure. Kline stars as an eccentric and brilliant, but reluctant detective brought in to try to solve a big case.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 1 REVIEWS