Famous French detective Vidocq, known as the pioneer of modern law enforcement, used to be a criminal before turning his life around. So, the idea of using criminals in order to rid society of crime isn’t as far-fetched as it would seem. It also serves as basic premise of Band of the Hand, 1986 action drama directed by Paul Michael Glaser. The criminals in question are five juvenile delinquents from Florida – Ruben Pacheco (played by Michael Carmine) and Moss Roosevelt (played by Leon Robinson) are leaders of rival streets gangs; Carlos Aragon (played by Danny Quinn) is a drug dealer arrested during police sting; James Lee MacEwen (played by John Cameron Mitchell) has killed his abusive alcoholic father; Dorcey Bridger (played by Al Shannon) is a car thief known for repeated escape attempts from detention. Sentenced to years of prison and considered hopeless by authorities, five youths are taken from juvenile detention facility and unceremoniously dropped in the middle of Everglades without any food, supplies or clue how to survive. The only guidance happens in the form of mysterious Joe Tegra (played by Stephen Lang), Native American and decorated Vietnam War veteran who is revealed to be at the helm of experimental program that should reform the worst of the delinquents. After initial difficulties, five young men learn survival skills, dependence on each other and, finally, enough self-esteem for Joe to start next and even more ambitious part of the program. They are brought in troubled section of Miami, where they would live and work in half-way house and try to improve the neighbourhood, infested with prostitution and drug trade. Those activities bring them in the conflict with local drug dealer Cream (played by Laurence Fishburne), who is also in employ of Nestor (played by James Remar), powerful Miami drug lord who used to be Carlos’ boss.
This film is a brainchild of producer Michael Mann and it is quite easy to recognise it, because the general theme, style and atmosphere matches his best known work – Miami Vice, television series which was quite popular at the time. It is also unmistakably reflection of the general mindset of Reagan’s America – concerns about explosion of drug use and its contribution to crime explosion, attempts to exercise demons of Vietnam fiasco and the idea that tough love and military action as the simplest and most effective ways to solve complex problems. This, of course, didn’t sit well with mostly liberal and left-leaning critics who decided to bury the film mostly on the account on its premise, which was deemed “preposterous”. However, once you accept general idea, you might find Band of the Hand more than decent part of 1980s cinema. Paul James Glaser, actor best known as Starsky in popular 1970s TV series Starsky and Hutch, handles his feature directorial debut well. He is also aided by experienced cinematographer Reynaldo Villalobos who is especially effective during nighttime scenes. Script by Leo Garan and Jack Baren, like with all good action films, manages to flesh out characters before they are brought in situations where audience must care what happens with them.
Youthful cast is more than decent, although few of them managed to have distinguished careers - like Leon Robinson (made famous by his appearance in Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” video) and John Cameron Mitchell, nowadays known mostly as director of “edgy” art films. Stephen Lang, at the time known mostly for his work on stage, is quite impressive in one his first starring roles, that would help him become one of Hollywood’s most sought character actors. James Remar is, on the other hand, quite forgettable in the cliched role of a drug dealer whose evilness is telegraphed by his dabbling in voodoo-like black magic rituals. Young Lauren Holly, who plays Carlos’ girlfriend, was brought only to add female character to ultra-machistic story, but she handles her thankless role well, especially in intense scene with her future real life husband Daniel Quinn.
The final scene of the film, in which protagonists conduct military-style raid on Nestor’s cocaine-processing facility, is directed well, although the use of cliches would make many of the details and the ultimate fate of protagonists predictable. On the other hand, use of a mini-gun by Nestor’s goons was something of a novelty at the time and it would take next year’s Predator to make that weapon popular in Hollywood action films. Most disappointing aspect of Band of the Hand is the music, mostly due to uninspiring theme song by Bob Dylan. Despite all of its flaws and premise some viewers today might find too outlandish, this film is good enough to be recommended even to viewers not prone to 1980s nostalgia.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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