Charley Varrick Reviews

A very well made caper film full of action and rich with character. Directed by genre veteran Don Siegel, the versatile Walter Matthau plays it hard and fast as a small-time thief who robs, with partner Robinson, a tiny New Mexico bank. Instead of the usual loose change, the robbers find $750,000 which turns out to be Mafia money the bank was laundering. It's too risky for the pragmatic Matthau but his avaricious punk partner insists that they keep the money. Matthau warns him that if the loot is not returned, the Mafia will start gunning for them, which is exactly what happens. Hit man Baker begins hunting the pair, destroying everyone and everything in his path--and enjoying it. Matthau is both shifty and cunning as he evades both the police and the Mafia. Butler's photography is top notch as is Schifrin's score. The whole film is suspenseful and intelligently scripted, thanks to director Siegel (DIRTY HARRY, THE SHOOTIST, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ) and writers Riesner and Rodman. A great B movie of the 1970s.