Plain Clothes

1988’s Plain Clothes is an undercover cop comedy starring Howard Arliss (Full Metal Jacket) as Nick Dunbar. Dunbar is a police officer whose brother is framed for murdering a teacher. After the brother is arrested, Dunbar enrolls in school posing as the son of his sidekick Ed Malmburg (Seymour Cassel of Johnny B. Good, Colors).

Dunbar has a hard time adapting to school. He never fit in as a high school student and came across as too mature. On is first day of school he dresses as a punk rocker but is polite and out of character. His brother gives him some serious high school student perpetrating tips from jail. These excellent pointers transform Dunbar from bogus wannabe to big man on campus. Soon his gnarly company is choice for jocks, princesses, preppies and teachers. He deftly negotiates the relationships around the numerous statutes and bogus policies and laws while on the pursuit of the killer?

Like the movie Clue this chuckle filled mystery has the entire school staff under suspicion. As more murders occur, the suspect list dwindles, but the final twist leaves you with the feeling of “I didn’t see that coming”.

It’s awesome that Plain Clothes offers a great cast of relatively normal actors. 

There are no super popular actors and that makes the movie all the more enjoyable. However, look for tubular performances from George Wendt (Cheers, House), Diane Ladd (Christmas Vacation, Father Dowling’s Mysteries), Suzy Amis, and Max Perlich (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).

There are no particular songs you might recognize, but the music is definitely of the awesome decade. Catchy songs and accompanying music interact well with the clothing and setting of 1988. Even Dunbar wears the porkpie hat made bodacious by the lead singer of Scritti Politti (Perfect Way).

This movie is rated PG for adult situations.