CHARLEY VARRICK (1973, USA, 111m, 15) ****
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
dist. Universal Pictures (USA), Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (UK); pr co. Universal Pictures; d. Don Siegel; w. Howard Rodman, Dean Riesner (based on the novel “The Looters” by John Reese); pr. Don Siegel; ph. Michael C. Butler (Technicolor | 1.85:1); m. Lalo Schifrin; ed. Frank Morriss; ad. Fernando Carrere.
cast: Walter Matthau (Charley Varrick), Joe Don Baker (Molly), Felicia Farr (Sybil Fort), John Vernon (Maynard Boyle), Andrew Robinson (Harman Sullivan), Sheree North (Jewell Everett), Norman Fell (Mr. Garfinkle), Benson Fong (Honest John), Woodrow Parfrey (Harold Young), William Schallert (San Miguel Sheriff Bill Horton), Jacqueline Scott (Nadine), Marjorie Bennett (Mrs. Taft), Rudy Diaz (Deputy Sanchez), Colby Chester (Deputy Steele), Charlie Briggs (Highway deputy), Priscilla Garcia (Miss Ambar), Scott Hale (Mr. Scott), Charles Matthau (Boy), Hope Summers (Mess Vesta), Monica Lewis (Beverly).
An excellent heist gone-wrong thriller sees small-time criminal Charley Varrick (Matthau) lead a crew to rob a bank, things don’t exactly go according to plan. Matthau and his surviving cohort, Harman Sullivan (Robinson), discover that they’ve stolen far more cash than they were expecting –and it is money that belongs to the mob. They are now being hunted by both the police and the mob in the form of a ruthless killer named Molly (Baker). Matthau delivers his usual delightfully laconic performance as he looks to figure a way out of the mess he has got into. Siegel calls on many of his excellent stock company of actors – including Vernon who gives a fine and understated performance as a crooked banker. Also of note is Baker, as the eccentric, but lethal, pipe-smoking hitman. Schifrin provides an excellent driving jazz-tinged music score and Siegel directs with his usual efficiency with a keen focus on the story and characters.
