Busting

Busting is a great ’70s buddy-cop film. The chemistry between Elliot Gould and Robert Blake is excellent, leading to some genuinely funny moments as well as more emotional scenes between the two. I was surprised by how good the film looks. There are a lot of unique and striking shots, and the use of lighting is particularly effective, especially in the massage parlour scenes and during the chase through the food market. The bittersweet ending feels fitting. With so much working against them, they’re just a small part of a much larger system, and it always seemed unlikely they could make a real difference. That sense of limitation gives the film a grounded, more realistic feel that manages to make everything work together so well.