Clint Eastwood’s 31% Rotten Tomatoes Buddy-Cop Thriller Has Aged Like Fine Wine

By the end of the ‘80s, Clint Eastwood had established himself as more than just a movie star. He became a national hero thanks in part to his signature Dirty Harry franchise, iconic westerns such as The Outlaw Josey Wales, and his brief service as mayor of Carmel, California. As the film industry—particularly action movies—shiftedtoward younger stars of the era, Eastwood was ready to share the screen with one of these hot up-and-coming actors in The Rookie.

Eastwood played up his world-weary cop persona opposite Charlie Sheen, fresh off the success of Platoon and Wall Street. Unlike the politically charged themes of Dirty Harry, The Rookie relies on the escapist buddy cop formula that worked well for 48 HRS. and Lethal Weapon, prioritizing the action spectacle and chemistry of its leads over any underlying commentary about law enforcement. Lost during a holiday season when blockbusters such as Home Alone and Dances with Wolves ruled the box office, The Rookie garnered some of Eastwood’s worst-reviewed films as a filmmaker, earning a 31% 'rotten' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While The Rookie stood no chance of industry prestige, Eastwood delivered on the escapist entertainment side by satisfying his audience with one of the most entertaining movies of his career.

How ‘The Rookie’ Is Different From ‘Lethal Weapon'

Eastwood plays veteran LAPD cop Nick Pulovski, who’s out for revenge against professional chop-shop kingpin Strom (Raul Julia) after his partner was killed during a stolen luxury vehicle bust. Taken off the case by his superior, Pulovski gets a new partner in upstart David Ackerman (Sheen). The fresh-faced rookie comes from an upper-class family and has never gotten over the accidental death of his brother as a child. Initially, Ackerman struggles to be a confident partner as he learns the hard way on the street through run-ins with biker gangs and untamed dogs. But after Strom and his men capture Pulovski and hold him for a $2 million ransom, Ackerman finds a newfound determination to save his partner.

The Rookie has the look and feel of the original Lethal Weapon, as it focuses on the dynamic between the veteran cop and his troubled younger partner. But unlike Lethal Weapon’s Martin Riggs, who is fearless in the face of death, Ackerman spends much of the first half incapable of backing up Pulovski in bar fights and shootouts. Even Ackerman’s wealthy father (Tom Skerritt) offers money to Pulovski to keep him safe on the job. But it is ultimately Pulovski’s toughness in challenging Ackerman’s fears that gives him the confidence he needs to survive.

The Rookie is also one of the rare times that an Eastwood character is made vulnerable in an action movie. While Dirty Harry usually got the upper hand on the villains, Eastwood’s Pulovski shows signs of losing a step, which played to the actor’s advancing age. There’s a bitterness within Pulovski reminiscent of Eastwood’s alcoholic, down-on-his-luck detective from 1977’s The Gauntlet that extends far beyond the death of his longtime partner. In revealing his backstory as a former race car driver, Pulovski's life has always fallen short of expectations, whether it’s on the track or busting criminals on the street. He sees a kingpin like Strom as his one chance for true glory, just as he’s on the edge of retirement.

Clint Eastwood Lets Charlie Sheen Shine in ‘The Rookie'

While playing an exhausted but rough-edged detective, Eastwood does not overpower the film as Sheen becomes the front-and-center star midway through The Rookie’s second act. The MTV generation’s hold on culture in the early ‘90s was making stars like Eastwood appear archaic. His late-’80s films, such as The Dead Pool and Pink Cadillac, unintentionally suggested he was slowing down just as younger stars, including Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson, were lighting up the screen with epic action films. Once Eastwood’s character is kidnapped, Sheen’s wired energy drives The Rookie forward. From brawling with dozens of biker patrons to a brutal home invasion battle to save his love Sarah (Lara Flynn Boyle), Sheen becomes that charismatic force inspired by Eastwood’s mentorship.

The Rookie is far from a stand-out piece of the buddy cop genre. However, it was an important step in Eastwood’s career. Until then, the veteran star carried most of his films by his name alone. This movie allowed him to let his co-stars like Sheen and Julia shine like an A-list ensemble, paving the way for some of the actor’s renaissance in the ‘90s with Unforgiven, A Perfect World, and Absolute Power. Additionally, the legendary star’s willingness to shine a spotlight on a much younger star like Sheen was an early step in making seminal dramas that highlighted the next generation of actors, including Sean Penn in Mystic River, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, and Leonardo DiCaprio in J. Edgar.