Smalltime L.A. detective Harry Moseby (Hackman) is hired by fading actress Arlene Iverson (Ward) to find her wild teenaged daughter Delly (Griffith) who has taken off for the Florida Keys. Delly winds up dead and Harry uncovers a bizarre smuggling ring. Hackman is realistic as the detective whose own life is unraveling and Penn and screenwriter Sharp tweaked the detective convention with Harry being an ultimately ineffectual hero. Underrated when released and worth a view.