This is a brilliantly satirical big-city movie augmented by nudity, profanity and violence. Demographically speaking, it has a little something for everyone. What gives this modern picture its bite is the media message. In a land of plenty, fame is the food everyone hungers for. In the opening scenes we see how New York City cops and firefighters are forever trying to get their good deeds shown on the nightly news.
Perception is reality.
When taxpayers have a strong TV image of public servants doing a terrific job, the city government isn't so hesitant to approve bigger police and fire department budgets for the next year. Everybody loves Eddie. He's a celebrity with a badge. If his white hat were any bigger, he'd need to issue aircraft warnings. The NYPD chief loves Eddie, too, because Eddie knows how to get the TV news coverage the chief can use to pry more money from the mayor and council.