Admirable film.

Absolutely Fantastic

Absolutely brilliant

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

"The Rockford Files: I Still Love LA" from 1994 has Jim trying to sell his Malibu trailer in the midst of the riots after the Rodney King verdict, the fires that hop the Pacific Coast Highway and head his way, and a visit from Angel (Stuart Margolin). Then his ex-wife Kit (Joanna Cassidy) appears. Yes, Jim was married and divorced since we last saw him. She wants him to work for her, at the behest of her children, investigating the murder of an old film star and the disappearance of her car. The woman's children are a quick-to- anger Josh (Geoffrey Nauffts) and his sobbing sister Dorie (Shannon Kenny). Ultimately, thanks to a security camera, Dennis (Joe Santos) arrests both of them.The problem occurs when Jim begins working at cross-purposes with Kit, who hired him and is trying to prepare a defense. The kids' stepfather (Joe Campanella), a famous ball player, becomes the subject of unsavory accusations that led to the murder.This is perhaps heavier than the normal Rockford fare, but most of it is handled in the usual Rockford way. You had to feel sorry for poor James Garner - he's limping in the movie. An excuse for Jim's injury is given, but I think it was Garner really limping as he runs and does stairs! The assembled cast does an excellent job, the beautiful Cassidy effectively sparring with Jim, the kids come off as brats, Campanella is distinguished and sad, and Laurence Pressman does a good job as a shady attorney.A sweet ending is followed by a tribute to Noah Berry, Jr.

The Rockford files returns after a fourteen year absence. I was not disappointed. The audience gets to see the same great casting and characters that made Rockford Files a great show. Notably absent however are Gretchen Corbett as Beth Davenport and Noah Beery Jr. as Joseph "Rocky" Rockford. Joanna Cassidy takes over as Jim Rockford's lawyer and now ex-wife. I don't know why Gretchen Corbett didn't reprise her role, but Cassidy gave a solid performance. Unfortunately, Noah Beery was not able to appear either. However, Stuart Margolin returns as Angel Martin and is his usual hilarious self."I Still Love LA" covers, in an oblique way, the Menendez Brothers case. Furthermore, it deals with the Rodney King Riots, California wild fires, LA carjackings, and finally earthquakes. However, through it all, Jim Rockford and James Garner, still love LA.

James Garner was nominated for a screen actor's guild award for this, his return to the popular 70's role: Jim Rockford. He always lends credibility to the roles he plays, no matter what they are. As TV movies go, it's pretty typical. Joe Santos and Stuart Margolin are on hand as usual, and Joanna Cassidy, who has had a workmanlike career, plays the second lead. She starred in a few gems earlier in her career like Blade Runner and Under Fire. In recent years, she's become a mainstay in TV movies. The plot of this Rockford movie starts in typical fashion, but it then goes off in a preposterous direction with its subject matter. Garner always makes it watchable though. There's always a secondary storyline, and in this one Rockford is thinking of moving out of the Los Angeles area. It's a shame that the movie didn't rely on what the series was good at: Good old-fashioned detective work. ** of 4 stars.

Fans of the "Rockford Files" series will be glad to see the return of Jim Rockford and some of his supporting players, and many elements of the series make this telefilm watchable. The plot of this film is not the best, however; the central mystery is neither intricate nor particularly suspenseful. What dominates the action is a prevalent cynicism about our show business society in general and Hollywood in particular. The guest actors do a fine job, particularly Joanna Cassidy and Geoffrey Nauffts, but the tawdry little story at the center of the film leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.