The decision to cast Walter Matthau as the eponymous anti-hero of this entertaining heist movie proved to be highly inspired because not only did he turn in a great performance but also, because of his deportment and mannerisms etc., immediately signalled that Varrick is far from being a stereotypical small-time criminal. By dispelling any audience preconceptions in this way, his character is established very naturally and soon becomes a rich source of interest in a fascinating story that was based on John Reese's novel "The Looters".
Ex-stunt pilot Charley Varrick runs a crop-dusting business and supplements his income by robbing small banks. He's been successful because his crimes have been low-profile but his luck changes when his gang robs the bank at Tres Cruces, New Mexico, because a patrolman recognises that their getaway car is displaying stolen plates and the sequence of events that follows, results in the whole operation getting out of control. Two police officers and a gang member are killed during the robbery and Charley's wife and getaway driver, Nadine (Jacqueline Scott) is also shot and later dies from her injury. Charley and Harman Sullivan (Andrew Robinson), the gang's only survivors, then hide out in a trailer park.
After Charley hears a radio news bulletin that claims that the robbers got away with less than $2,000 and discovers that the money they've actually got amounts to $750,000, he immediately realises that the small bank was obviously being used as a "drop" for mob money that was subsequently due to be sent out of the country to be laundered. With the police and the Mafia guaranteed to be pursuing them, Charley doesn't want to use the cash immediately because he knows that the Mafia will be relentless in hunting down the cash and the thieves. This idea doesn't go down well with Harman who isn't so concerned about the danger they're in and remains determined to go on a spending spree without delay.
Maynard Boyle (John Vernon) who's the head of the corporation that owns the bank at Tres Cruces, hires hit man Molly (Joe Don Baker) to recover the stolen money and deal with the bank robbers. Charley wastes no time as he devises an ingenious survival plan which involves the use of switched dental records, fake passports and a crop-duster plane to try to extricate himself from the tight spot that he's in.
"Charley Varrick" is a gritty, violent and action-packed movie with some great stunts and a good deal of humour but it's the strength of its plot and Charley's character that really elevates it to a higher standard than the average crime thriller.
Charley is an interesting character because he's older than the average bank robber and is essentially an easy-going guy who wants to make a living by his own efforts. His crop-dusting business isn't viable because the bigger outfits have the power to squeeze the smaller businesses out and so he uses his criminal activities to maintain his independence. What's more surprising about this man (whose business slogan is "The Last of the Independents") is how resourceful he proves to be as he executes his plan and outwits his foes in what turns out to be a David and Goliath type scenario.
Walter Matthau's superb performance is complemented by great work from the supporting cast with Andrew Robinson (as Charley's not-so-bright, hot-headed sidekick) and Joe Don Baker (as the sadistic hit man who enjoys his work) also excellent in their memorable roles.
Ex-stunt pilot Charley Varrick runs a crop-dusting business and supplements his income by robbing small banks. He's been successful because his crimes have been low-profile but his luck changes when his gang robs the bank at Tres Cruces, New Mexico, because a patrolman recognises that their getaway car is displaying stolen plates and the sequence of events that follows, results in the whole operation getting out of control. Two police officers and a gang member are killed during the robbery and Charley's wife and getaway driver, Nadine (Jacqueline Scott) is also shot and later dies from her injury. Charley and Harman Sullivan (Andrew Robinson), the gang's only survivors, then hide out in a trailer park.
After Charley hears a radio news bulletin that claims that the robbers got away with less than $2,000 and discovers that the money they've actually got amounts to $750,000, he immediately realises that the small bank was obviously being used as a "drop" for mob money that was subsequently due to be sent out of the country to be laundered. With the police and the Mafia guaranteed to be pursuing them, Charley doesn't want to use the cash immediately because he knows that the Mafia will be relentless in hunting down the cash and the thieves. This idea doesn't go down well with Harman who isn't so concerned about the danger they're in and remains determined to go on a spending spree without delay.
Maynard Boyle (John Vernon) who's the head of the corporation that owns the bank at Tres Cruces, hires hit man Molly (Joe Don Baker) to recover the stolen money and deal with the bank robbers. Charley wastes no time as he devises an ingenious survival plan which involves the use of switched dental records, fake passports and a crop-duster plane to try to extricate himself from the tight spot that he's in.
"Charley Varrick" is a gritty, violent and action-packed movie with some great stunts and a good deal of humour but it's the strength of its plot and Charley's character that really elevates it to a higher standard than the average crime thriller.
Charley is an interesting character because he's older than the average bank robber and is essentially an easy-going guy who wants to make a living by his own efforts. His crop-dusting business isn't viable because the bigger outfits have the power to squeeze the smaller businesses out and so he uses his criminal activities to maintain his independence. What's more surprising about this man (whose business slogan is "The Last of the Independents") is how resourceful he proves to be as he executes his plan and outwits his foes in what turns out to be a David and Goliath type scenario.
Walter Matthau's superb performance is complemented by great work from the supporting cast with Andrew Robinson (as Charley's not-so-bright, hot-headed sidekick) and Joe Don Baker (as the sadistic hit man who enjoys his work) also excellent in their memorable roles.