Real McCoy, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

Having spent six years in jail for an Atlanta bank break-in, Karen McCoy (Kim Basinger) is anxious to start a new life. Although she spurns the advances of her sleazy parole officer, she convinces him that she can bypass time in a halfway house. Making a home for her son motivates Karen to forsake her criminal past and to seek a respectable job. Unfortunately, nobody will hire an ex-con. J.T. Barker (Val Kilmer) befriends Karen, helping her find a place to live and giving advice on how to talk with her young son, who believes she is dead. Contacted by Jack (Terence Stamp), her former partner in crime, she refuses an offer to do another bank heist. To force her into doing the bank robbery, Jack, aided by her parole officer, kidnaps her son. Karen then plans and executes the high-tech bank heist, but the plot twists as she has other plans for the kidnapper. Well-acted, THE REAL MCCOY will appeal to audiences who like action-packed drama.

Unfortunately, sleazy companions mean sleazy language. There are many crudities, obscenities, and several profanities. Even Karen's young son blurts out the s-word for which he is scolded. Although an action film, violence is surprisingly limited to some slapping, beating, and gunshots. While THE REAL MCCOY contains no nudity or sexual intercourse, the parole officer unsuccessfully attempts to seduce Karen. Karen tries very hard to go straight after her jail term. Ultimately, however, she feels justified stealing money from the man who caused her original downfall and has now used her son to manipulate Karen's return to crime. Though she is a criminal with heart, Karen is nonetheless a criminal. However, it is difficult not to sympathize with her struggle to establish a life for herself and her son. The frequent offensive language spoils an otherwise reasonably acceptable film.

Preview Reviewer: Alice Anderson
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal Blvd., Universal City, CA 91608