Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dirty Harry sequel addresses sexism; lots of violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Enforcer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE ENFORCER a Vietnam veteran, killer, and former pimp who seems mentally deranged leads an armed group to steal explosives. He then sets off bombs around town and kidnaps the mayor for a multimillion-dollar ransom. Harry (Clint Eastwood), who has been demoted for his usual insubordination, is called back to help find the group, now on a killing spree. Despite his vocal protests against promoting women without enough experience to become homicide inspectors, Harry is assigned a newly minted female inspector (Tyne Daly). He grudgingly comes to respect her, and they become a good team.
Is It Any Good?
The cop who hates criminals and his bosses almost equally is a meme that is coming into its own by this third installment in the Dirty Harry series. Eastwood brings both humor and social criticism to his trigger-happy, super-competent cop. He shows prejudices -- in this instance, a fear that inexperienced women cops will jeopardize their own safety and the safety of other cops just so the department can claim it's unbiased. Law-and-order conservative that he seems to be, Harry makes a point of treating all bad guys the same and believing in the equality of the races at a time when many cops weren't quite so enlightened. Perhaps the most interesting moment in the movie comes when an African-American leader tells Harry that he is putting "his ass on the line for a bunch of dudes" -- that is, powerful white men -- who don't like Harry any better than they like black militants. Harry replies that he's not doing it for them. So who does he risk his life for everyday? His reply is tantalizing: "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." And nothing more is said about that through the rest of the movie. C'mon, Harry. Who do you do it for?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fact that although female cops are commonplace today, back in the 1970s women were still forced to prove to male bosses that they were as competent as men. Do you think the movie wants viewers to root for the striving female cop?
What do you think makes Harry come around regarding his new partner? Do you think the movie makes the case that she is as capable as Harry and other male cops?
How much progress have women made in the workplace since this movie was made?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 1, 1976
- On DVD or streaming : November 20, 2001
- Cast : Clint Eastwood , Tyne Daly , Bradford Dillman , Harry Guardino
- Director : James Fargo
- Studio : Warner Home Video
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : for Strong Violence, Brief Nudity and Some Language
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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