Review of Charley Varrick (1973) by Pablo V — 04 May 2009

Charley Varrick is an entertaining heist movie that reminds viewers of an era where special effects and shootouts weren't a requirment for gratification in a ganster film. Walter Matthau does a good job in curbing his comedic talent into a wise stick up man who smoothly operates around town, adding in a sarcastic comment here and there for comic relief.

It's important to note that Matthau makes this film, without his purely entertaining persona Charley Varrick would have been just another poorly scripted crimial lost in a genre that includes some of the most important films in cinematic history.

While there are some inconsistancies in the development of many characters and a couple of unnecessary love scenes (as there are in most films) Charley Varrick posses a subtle and subdued take on the heist film that keeps the viewer intrigued and entertained throughout the film without detracting from its verisimilitude.

The writting is solid throughout the film and the lack of flashy scenes and pretentious dialouge enhances the realism of the scenarios and believability of the characters themselves. If you're a fan of 70's American cinema and the brilliant acting of Walter Matthau this a film I would definently recomend, if you're looking for a fast paced thriller with an abundance of sex, guns and an overall machismo attitude they play those type of films 10 times a day on tbs and spike.