Homicide Life on the Street: Subway
by Clark Johnson, Jace Alexander, Joe Berlinger, Lee Bonner, Martin Campbell

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VHS Movie Reviews of Homicide Life on the Street: Subway

Movie Review: Stunning Work!
Summary: 5 Stars

Movie Review: An episode worthy of inclusion in anyone's video library!
Summary: 5 Stars

If one episode clearly exemplifies the intensity and the quality of the series' writing, as well as the skills of the actors, it is "Subway". Braugher gets to run the gamut of his emotions as he deals with the hopeless situation of guest star Vincent D'onofrio, also giving an award winning turn as the trapped commuter.

The episode is a nail-biter and a prime example of what television should be.

Movie Review: Most compelling dramatic anything I've ever seen
Summary: 5 Stars

I'd long been a Homicide fan, so I was well aware of Andre Braugher's skill, but Vincent D'Onofrio's performance was a revelation. His character is Everyschmuck, the Bud Lite-swilling blowhard found in any bar on any Saturday night, under-tipping the bartender and copping a feel from the cocktail waitress.

But as he slowly discovers his fate, he strips away his schmuckness in layers, like an onion, with Braugher's Pembleton as Father Confessor and keeper of the knowledge that he is doomed. Together they reveal the character's essential humanity and vulnerability.

Pembleton is our surrogate, I think, because he doesn't like this guy much either, but goes in to do his job, and is eventually touched by him, as we are.

My words are feeble. Just see it.

Movie Review: Possibly the best hour of television ever!
Summary: 5 Stars

Movie Review: One of the most amazing hours I've ever witnessed
Summary: 5 Stars

In "The Subway," Pembleton literally becomes, if not God, then perhaps the equivalent of St. Peter. When a commuter (brilliantly played by Vincent D'Onofrio) is pushed in front of a moving train, the unfortunate man finds himself literally hanging between life and death. Suspended between the train and the platform, he is questioned by Pembleton concerning who might have pushed him. But if this sounds like a gimmick, then be aware that this show deals with so much more. During their conversation, D'Onofrio and Pembleton confront the issues of life, death, fate, and faith that fueled the show since its premiere -- issues that many fans correctly felt the show had mistakenly moved away from during the final two seasons. Pembleton becomes almost a father confessor for D'Onofrio. Perhaps most arrestingly (for me at least), is that D'Onofrio's victim isn't presented in an extremely sympathetic light. While other shows would have idealized him, Homicide makes it victim out to be a self-centered, vain jerk. He is a man forced to confront the whole of his still young life in one hour and for him, that subway platform becomes his purgatory. Not what you'd typically expect to see on television and one of the main reasons why I've always thought of this show as Homicide's proper swan song.

As for the documentary included with the video, its a fun watch and definitely will be enjoyable to any true Homicide fan. However, even if the tape was composed only of this episode, it would be a must have for anyone serious about how television can truly create a work of art.

Summary of Homicide Life on the Street: Subway

General Video

• Genres > Documentary
• Television