Heaven’s Prisoners

Writers Harley Peyton and Scott Frank adapt James Lee Burke’s novel, about a former New Orleans cop and reformed alcoholic (Alec Baldwin) now running a boat and bait shop in the bayous who returns to snooping after rescuing a Salvadoran girl from a plane crash and finding himself enmeshed in a crime conspiracy as a consequence. Though the plot is mainly routine, the colorful location shooting and some of the acting (most notably Eric Roberts) make this better than average (if a bit long), and there’s one chase sequence that’s especially good. Phil Joanou directed; with Teri Hatcher, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kelly Lynch, and Vondie Curtis Hall. (JR) Read more