Short Time

PG-13

1990

1 hr. 37 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

29%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

As a result of a misdiagnosis, Detective Burt Simpson (Dabney Coleman) is told he has just weeks to live. He gains a new respect for his life and loved ones but learns that in order for his wife, Carolyn (Teri Garr), and son, Dougie (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), to collect any insurance money, he must be killed in the line of duty. He then becomes the most reckless man on the police force, volunteering for dangerous assignments over the objections of his by-the-book partner, Ernie Dills (Matt Frewer).

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Sten T

Awesome movie, great car chases and a very interesting plot idea.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/22

Full Review

Audience Member

A good dramedy. Never trust doctors and watch this movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting but not overly funny. A misdiagnosed officer is told he will die in a couple weeks and tries to get killed in the line of duty so his family will be taken care of after he's gone.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/18

Full Review

Audience Member

Good movie. Not much a comedy, good script.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU DOUGIE! YOURE GOING TO COLLEGE!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

william s

Really should have played with this more ....could have made it at the least average.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Gregg Champion

Director

Dabney Coleman

Burt Simpson

Matt Frewer

Ernie Dills

Teri Garr

Carolyn Simpson

Barry Corbin

Captain

Joe Pantoliano

Scalese

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

We are safely in sitcom country, and this is another one of those movies that is careful not to give the audience too much to worry or think about.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Short Time is often gracious, almost forced, but without pushing too hard. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 18, 2022

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Coleman is endearing, but an initially ruthless comedy-thriller is given a near-fatal injection of ruth at the halfway mark.

Nov 2, 2022

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Sep 1, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 17, 2005

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 2/5

Oct 25, 2002

Full Review

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Synopsis

As a result of a misdiagnosis, Detective Burt Simpson (Dabney Coleman) is told he has just weeks to live. He gains a new respect for his life and loved ones but learns that in order for his wife, Carolyn (Teri Garr), and son, Dougie (Kaj-Erik Eriksen), to collect any insurance money, he must be killed in the line of duty. He then becomes the most reckless man on the police force, volunteering for dangerous assignments over the objections of his by-the-book partner, Ernie Dills (Matt Frewer).

Director: Gregg Champion
Production Co: Gladden Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.5M
Sound Mix: Stereo