The Black Marble

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The Black Marble

PG

1980

1h 53m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

33%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

When tough-guy Los Angeles police detective A.M. Valnikov (Robert Foxworth) is paired up with comely fellow cop Natalie Zimmerman (Paula Prentiss), the two investigate the abduction of an aristocrat's cherished pet dog. As the case pushes the partners toward romance, they get closer to tracking down the canine's hapless kidnapper, Philo Skinner (Harry Dean Stanton). While Valnikov and Zimmerman are on the job, strange circumstances lead to plenty of ridiculous situations.

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This isn't a seamless piece of work, but it's infectious and charming.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 23, 2004

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Virtually everything, from the tone to the character relationships, seems slightly off.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 11, 2021

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

The issue is that the movie is drawn out to the point that the scenes copy each other and the end product feels repetitive. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 16, 2019

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 18, 2005

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

The Black Marble is an engaging cop drama that stands head and shoulders above others in this genre.

Jan 29, 2004

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William D

This is an awful movie. I would not recommend watching it to anyone.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

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harsh c

Unlikely love story, dull drama and terribly dated attempts at humour

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The Black Marble has a quirky likable quality surrounding it's rather dull premise and it is just quirky enough that it is watchable. The acting is stellar but the movie is slow and other than a few chuckles here and there The Black Marble is very forgettable. Keep an eye out for The American Ninja himself Michael Dudikoff in his first small film role as a gay house-boy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Joe Wambaugh written. If that doesn't make you excited you have an issue. It even has Paula Prentiss. It also has the goofiest dog kenel fight ever. The only unfortunate thing here is Harold Becker whose work I've never ever gotten used too. I also couldn't get used to all the Russian romanticizing but not an issue really. If you want to wax nostalgic about freezing cold, alcoholism, and bad government so be it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

With The Black Marble, Joseph Wambaugh [adapting his own novel] at last comes close to presenting police as human, even humorous, beings, capable of balancing remorse, regret and romance without becoming total psychotics.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

I remember seeing this on TV in the 80's and was delighted when I managed to get the DVD recently. Underated. The music's good as well.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Harold Becker

Director

Robert Foxworth

Sgt. A.M. Valnikov

Paula Prentiss

Sgt. Natalie Zimmerman

Harry Dean Stanton

Philo Skinner

James Woods

The Fiddler

Barbara Babcock

Madeline Whitfield

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Synopsis

When tough-guy Los Angeles police detective A.M. Valnikov (Robert Foxworth) is paired up with comely fellow cop Natalie Zimmerman (Paula Prentiss), the two investigate the abduction of an aristocrat's cherished pet dog. As the case pushes the partners toward romance, they get closer to tracking down the canine's hapless kidnapper, Philo Skinner (Harry Dean Stanton). While Valnikov and Zimmerman are on the job, strange circumstances lead to plenty of ridiculous situations.

Director: Harold Becker
Producer: Frank Capra Jr.
Screenwriter: Joseph Wambaugh
Production Co: Black Marble Company, Arco Embassy
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 53m