Robert Duvall is as cool as can be in this well-shot, efficiently paced production adapted by director John Flynn from the Richard Stark (a.k.a. Donald E. Westlake) novel. Duvall plays Earl Macklin, who's just getting out of prison after having robbed a Mafia (or "Outfit") controlled bank. The Outfit has already knocked off Earls' brother Eddie (Edward Ness), so he's ripe for revenge. Hooking up with another cohort from the robbery (Joe Don Baker), he makes a nuisance of himself until The Outfit is forced to deal with him.
Under-rated action filmmaker Flynn, whose other credits include "Rolling Thunder", "Defiance", "Lock Up, "Out for Justice", and "Brainscan", keeps things moving along nicely, telling an entertaining (if familiar) story in fine fashion. The film is effectively violent without going overboard on the gore, so less squeamish viewers shouldn't be bothered. Overall, the film is fun, in the tradition of tales about bad guys who are up against WORSE guys. Of course, with this narrative, you're never in much doubt that our protagonists will manage to keep their heads and take on all comers.
Duvall and Baker make a good team, sharing a relaxed chemistry as they work to stay one step ahead of The Outfit. The always welcome Karen Black is engaging as Duvalls' lady friend, who doesn't find it that easy to stand by her man. (For one thing, in order to stay ahead, she, Baker, and Duvall have to keep moving from hotel to hotel.) But what's truly nice is that so much of the supporting cast is occupied with known actors. One might argue that some of these people don't get enough to do, but it's a joy to see them just the same: Robert Ryan as the top-dog mobster, as well as Joanna Cassidy, Timothy Carey, Richard Jaeckel, Sheree North, Marie Windsor, Jane Greer, Henry Jones, Elisha Cook Jr., Bill McKinney, Archie Moore, Roy Roberts, Emile Meyer, Roy Jenson, John Steadman, and Francis De Sales.
Flynn keeps the tale gritty and reasonably realistic, aiming it towards an effectively action and suspense packed finale. If the prospective viewer is a fan of this genre, this is a film worth catching.
Seven out of 10.
Under-rated action filmmaker Flynn, whose other credits include "Rolling Thunder", "Defiance", "Lock Up, "Out for Justice", and "Brainscan", keeps things moving along nicely, telling an entertaining (if familiar) story in fine fashion. The film is effectively violent without going overboard on the gore, so less squeamish viewers shouldn't be bothered. Overall, the film is fun, in the tradition of tales about bad guys who are up against WORSE guys. Of course, with this narrative, you're never in much doubt that our protagonists will manage to keep their heads and take on all comers.
Duvall and Baker make a good team, sharing a relaxed chemistry as they work to stay one step ahead of The Outfit. The always welcome Karen Black is engaging as Duvalls' lady friend, who doesn't find it that easy to stand by her man. (For one thing, in order to stay ahead, she, Baker, and Duvall have to keep moving from hotel to hotel.) But what's truly nice is that so much of the supporting cast is occupied with known actors. One might argue that some of these people don't get enough to do, but it's a joy to see them just the same: Robert Ryan as the top-dog mobster, as well as Joanna Cassidy, Timothy Carey, Richard Jaeckel, Sheree North, Marie Windsor, Jane Greer, Henry Jones, Elisha Cook Jr., Bill McKinney, Archie Moore, Roy Roberts, Emile Meyer, Roy Jenson, John Steadman, and Francis De Sales.
Flynn keeps the tale gritty and reasonably realistic, aiming it towards an effectively action and suspense packed finale. If the prospective viewer is a fan of this genre, this is a film worth catching.
Seven out of 10.