DVD Review: Charley Varrick
Kino continues its release of gems from cinema's past with this unfairly overlooked Don Siegel production. Originally a much more violent film, and slated to star Clint Eastwood, it is Walter Matthau who is featured in the title role. He is a bank robber whose latest caper results in a take of over $700,000; much more than anticipated. When the news reports a smaller sum was stolen, he and his gang realize that the bank was laundering money and the mob is likely after them. Varrick says, "I'd rather have three FBIs after me than one mafia."
The film has a lot of action and suspense, and maintains a compelling narrative throughout. Don Siegel is the perfect director for this project, having already helmed the similar "Dirty Harry" with Eastwood just previous to this movie. Andrew Robinson, so effective as Scorpio in "Dirty Harry," plays a similar young-punk accomplice to Varrick in this film. Joe Don Baker resonates strongly as the stoic hit man dispatched by the mob to retrieve the money. The film is further enhanced by familiar supporting players like Sheree North, John Vernon, Felicia Farr, William Schallert, Norman Fell, and Benson Fong. Even old timer Marjorie Bennett checks in as an amusingly nosy trailer park neighbor of Charley's.
It is perhaps somewhat striking to modern day viewers of "Charley Varrick" that it has a few discernible influences on Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," to the point of character names and lines of dialog. And, overall, "Charley Varrick" has a lot of eccentric qualities in its compact structure. The casting of Matthau in the title role during a time when he was better known for dialog-rich comedies from Neil Simon, et al, is a departure of sorts. However, for those who are familiar with the earlier part of his career, where he effectively played bad guys in movies like "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" and "King Creole," his ability to comfortably settle into a gangster role is less jarring.
It is all very clever and rewarding, with a jaunty pace and oddball characters. The final double cross at the end is a delight.
Kino's blu ray is loaded with great special features, including a terrific video essay by film historian Howard S. Berger, a Making Of documentary, audio commentary by the always reliable and informative Toby Roan, and a booklet essay by Nick Pinkerton.
The blu ray is available here: Charley Varrick