A tough, super-jaded cop (Nick Nolte) springs a hard luck robber (Eddie Murphy) from jail for two days to help nab his former partners. They form a kind of friendship (based on mutual hatred) as they chase a trio of remorseless villains through the streets of San Francisco. Rounded characters and crackling comedy keep this hard-hitting film beautifully balanced. A violence-heavy sequel was made in 1990 called Another 48 Hrs.