I have a preference for movies from the 60s--70s era, and have found that Walter Matthau stars in many noteworthy movies from in that era. It is no surprise, then, that I was looking forward to "Charley Varrick".
The trouble is that the movie never picks up. The "bank robbery gone wrong" scenario has been tried many times before and after, and with more surprises and excitement than this 70s version. Charley Varrick's supposedly subtle moves are painfully obvious every moment of the movie, and the end result is therefore no surprise. Awaiting a great plot in the trappings of ordinary circumstances, I was severely disappointed with the movie's ability to think ahead of me. Everything in the movie is solid per se - acting, script, direction - but none of it comes up to deliver a truly inspiring movie experience.
Walter Matthau is a splendid actor, but you'll find him much more intriguing in a number of his movies - one that springs to mind is Charade, an absolute must-see for all who claim to know movies.
The trouble is that the movie never picks up. The "bank robbery gone wrong" scenario has been tried many times before and after, and with more surprises and excitement than this 70s version. Charley Varrick's supposedly subtle moves are painfully obvious every moment of the movie, and the end result is therefore no surprise. Awaiting a great plot in the trappings of ordinary circumstances, I was severely disappointed with the movie's ability to think ahead of me. Everything in the movie is solid per se - acting, script, direction - but none of it comes up to deliver a truly inspiring movie experience.
Walter Matthau is a splendid actor, but you'll find him much more intriguing in a number of his movies - one that springs to mind is Charade, an absolute must-see for all who claim to know movies.