DVD Review: The Silent Partner (1978)

This Canadian production, shot entirely in Toronto, features Elliot Gould as a rather meek bank teller who discovers a clue to a robbery. He sees a discarded deposit slip with a note to hand over money. The next day he sees a mall Santa with a sign that has letters matching the unusual style of writing on the note he found. Realizing that "Santa" will strike again, he arranges to steal some of the money himself first. When the robbery does occur, the thief later realizes the teller has some of the money, resulting in a cat and mouse game between the two.

Elliot Gould was a staple of 70s cinema, appearing in such films as MASH, "Little Murders," "The Long Goodbye," and "Capricorn One" before working on this project. His characters are often low key and introspective, but in this film he plays a shy, withdrawn man who is also cagey and able to challenge his own scruples.

Christopher Plummer, as the criminal, is particularly frightening and brutal in his role as the robber and killer in the Santa suit. One murder that occurs in the film is the most gruesome this writer has seen outside of a slasher movie.

Susannah York, approaching middle age at the time of filming, retains her youthful beauty and presence in a supporting role where she is able to exhibit her formidable skills as an actress. Her character is calculating, but in a manner where she just wants to better understand the situation and won't rely on her own deductive reasoning. It is fun to see a young John Candy in a small part, as well as Gail Dahms in one of her very few films before she left movies to become a minister.

Director Daryl Duke is far better known for his TV work. However he does a very good job with the succession of shots here, building the suspense effectively but never making the film seem protracted. In fact, Elliot Gould showed this movie to Alfred Hitchcock in a private screening and he reportedly loved it. The screenplay was the first movie success for Curtis Hanson, who later wrote and directed "L.A. Confidential" and "Wonder Boys."

There is a great deal of subtle nuance along with the bursts of jarring brutality. The starting ring of the house phone breaks up the tension. Jazz artist Oscar Petersen's taut score simmers beneath the narrative. Director Duke's use of darkness and long shots to quiet the action after a tumultuous scene maintains a rhythm of its own.

Tbe 1970s was a particularly strong decade for film, allowing a solid mystery like "The Silent Partner" to fall through the cracks and be generally forgotten. Thus, Kino Lorber's blu ray is most highly recommended. There are some good extras on the blu ray, including an interview with Elliot Gould, and commentary by film historians Howard Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson who do a nice job offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of the film.

The blu ray is available here: The Silent Partner.