Review of Sharky's Machine (1981) by Ola G — 14 Jul 2009

Sgt. Tom Sharky (Burt Reynolds) is a narcotics cop in Atlanta who ends up in the Vice squad after a bust gone wrong with a killed citizen. In the depths of this lowly division, Sharky starts to investigate a high-dollar prostitution ring runned by a man named Victor Score (Vittorio Gassman). In the process Sharky starts to surveil a high class prostitute named Dominoe (Rachel Ward) in order to reach Victor. The ties between Victor, Dominoe and the governor Hotchkins makes things even more complicated. And in between there is Victors drugged out cold blooded brother Billy Score (Henry Silva), who will eliminate whoever Victor wants dead. Eventually Sharky needs to protect Dominoe and bring the Score brothers to justice.

I have not seen this one for a long time, but I am glad to say I liked it as much as I did when I saw it the first time. I would rank this as one of Burts best movies. It has everything you want from a good action cop thriller. Suspense, comradery, violence, a good set of characters (Sharky, Arch, Papa, Nosh and Friscoe) a proper bad guy (Billy Score), emotional moments, drama, some romance and a bit of humour. Burt is solid as Sharky, Henry Silva is truly GREAT as the bad guy Billy Score (very creepy...) and Rachel Ward is very very HOT! Love her whisky voice and her whole aura. She was smashing back then!! The violence is very in your face (the fingers cutting sequence, the final shootout between Billy and Arch etc), but it adds to the general mood and setting. It is brutal, but it shows us the reality cops has to deal with and it fits the movie. I think as well that Burt Reynolds direction is good and I like that he takes time to set up the plot and really build on the characters. So, a running time of 2 hours feels just perfect. All in all I say....Nobody leans on Sharkys Machine!! : ).