Such a nicely made thriller that it's a shame that, from start to finish, you haven't a clue what's going on. Or maybe you do?

Sheriff Willem Dafoe discovers a body, a gun and a suitcase full of banknotes in remote New Mexico ruins, and from here on in, you're on your own.

The FBI, the CIA and a couple of arms dealers are in there somewhere, but the thrill of the chase is the thing. You can see director Roger Donaldson's mind ticking as he gives us a mobile shot of Dafoe taking a gun from the glove compartment of his car, a time-saving, pace-setting device that sums up the tempo of the whole plot.

Dafoe is particularly good as the resourceful, likeable, laid-back lawman. Not far behind are Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Mickey Rourke, M Emmet Walsh, J E Freeman and (uncredited) Mimi Rogers, John Ryan and Fred Dalton Thompson. Royce Applegate is also noteworthy in a one-scene role as a motel owner.

Never mind the plot, feel the quality: it's the real stuff.