Whoopi Goldberg and Bob Goldthwait between them have enough charisma to float a battleship, so they keep this comedy mystery bobbing along. Goldberg plays a San Francisco cat burglar who becomes an earwitness to a murder while hiding in the victim's closet. Goldthwait, as her best friend, a poodle groomer, tones his act down a little—to only a dull roar. Director Hugh Wilson, who did the first Police Academy, has always shown more talent for casting than anything else and this film is no exception. Lesley Ann Warren, as a discount dentist, is sleazily funny; when she's arrested for the murder, her main concern is that she has to wear cotton underwear in jail. G. W Bailey, another Police Academy alum, adds world-weary atmosphere as an ex-cop blackmailing Goldberg into stealing for him. Nobody gets much funny material. It's mostly on the level of Goldthwait reacting to a businessmen's bar: "I can't go in there; it's like Yuppies from Hell." Goldberg, alternately tough and sweet, is appealing, though, and Goldthwait's critical case of insecurity makes him sympathetic. Goldberg, of course, has to track down the real murderer to clear herself. This does not so much lead to a climax as get things over with so everybody can go home, but there is some distraction in the interim. (R)
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