Any dispute here between the rule of conservative law and the rule of communal dissidence is dramatized at the level of a wrangle between faith healers about the advantages of rival incantations.

Top-billed George C. Scott is excellent as the veteran policeman who imparts his philosophies on his rookie partner, although it's Stacey Keach, as said partner, who essays the largest role.

A bristling little slice of character driven discomfort.

The big problem is the screenplay which is, you should excuse the expression, one long cop-out.