Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1986 action film, Raw Deal, is now available to watch for free on YouTube. Directed by John Irvin, the movie stars Schwarzenegger as Mark Kaminski, a former FBI agent forced to resign after an incident involving a suspect. Kaminski, now working as a county sheriff, is drawn back into the dangerous world of the Chicago mob when an old colleague recruits him for an infiltration mission.
The film, released between Schwarzenegger's earlier hits Commando and Predator, is notable for its writing credits, which include contributions from Luciano Vincenzoni. Vincenzoni, an Italian screenwriter known as a "script doctor," penned scripts for over 60 films, including Spaghetti Western classics like For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
While Raw Deal's plot has been described as clichéd and sometimes illogical, with a screenplay by Gary DeVore and Norman Wexler leaving "a lot to be desired," the film still offers moments of entertainment. Critic Vincent Canby of The New York Times deemed it "better than Stallone's Cobra," while Pauline Kael found it "reprehensible and enjoyable."
One memorable scene early in the film features Kaminski's wife, Amy, throwing a cake with "shit" written in whipped cream at him, to which Schwarzenegger calmly responds, "You should not drink and bake." Despite its shortcomings, the film showcases Schwarzenegger's ability to imbue even stock action characters with interest through his natural wit and irony. For viewers seeking "brain-dead fun with a tinge of '80s nostalgia," Raw Deal offers a blend of "nonsense action and trashy humor."