Review of Charley Varrick (1973) by Steve P — 01 Feb 2012

A small-time crook (Charley Varrick) and his partner have just successfully robbed a small bank in New Mexico. Much to their surprise they discover that their payday from the heist is in the neighborhood of $750,000 dollars, way more than the modest payday Charlie was expecting.

Charlie realizes they have stolen Mafia money which leads him on an adventure where he must outwit and stay ahead of both the cops and the mafia. Charliey Varrick is very much painted as a cunning professional, but also an old man.

He wants nothing to do with the Mafia's money but it's not exactly something you can just return ot the mafia. Walter Matthau is really great in these types of role where his character is sorta old and tired and in this situation which he just wants to get out of.

He almost personifies the every-day man in this gritty, down-to-earth heist-crime drama. All that being said, the viewer is never really given much indication into what Charley is thinking before he does it; which adds an interesting amount of intrigue to his journey.

Jon Don Baker also stands out as Molly, a mob-hired killer, who is on the trail to get the money back. His broad shoulders and imposing presence coupled with his no-nonsense demeanor make him a character that demands your attention every time he is on the screen.

This is a lean script that features a lot of great characters which are all developed well and possess their own wants and desires.