Allan C
Director Don Siegel followed up his hit film DIRTY HARRY with this smaller crime picture about Walter Matthau as Charley Varrick, the last of the small-time independent criminals. Varrick, his wife, and his partner knock over a rural bank for farmers, but when their haul far exceeds what they were expecting, they realize they knocked over a mob-fronted bank. As with most heist films, that's when things go downhill. To reveal any more of the plot would spoil the fun, but there are twists and turns that the smartest filmgoer won't see coming. There's a great supporting cast, but the standout is Joe Don Baker as a mob enforcer named Molly, who's called in to get the money back. He's charming, soft-spoken, and completely dangerous. Besides Siegel, there are multiple DIRTY HARRY connections to this film. Andrew Robinson (the Scorpio Killer from DIRTY HARRY) plays Varrick's partner, who wants to spend the money and not sit on it. John Vernon (who played the mayor and famously tells Callihan, "I don't want any more trouble like you had last year in the Fillmore district.”) plays a double crossing mobster, and even Albert Popwell (he was the bank robber who gets the "Did he fire six shots or only five" speech) in on hand in a small part. The film was also co-written by frequent Siegel collaborator Dean Riesner, who also worked on DIRTY HARRY. Regarding the script, this is one of those films you walk out of and think to yourself, this was a really smart script! It's one of those films like THE STING or THE SIXTH SENSE, where when you rewatch the film, all the clues are right there out in the open from the start. It's such a clever script! Besides DIRTY HARRY alumni, the cast also features Sheree North as a forger, William Schallert as the small-town sheriff, and stuntman Craig R. Baxley plays a character named van Sickle, which appears to be a tribute to longtime stuntman Dale van Sickle. Cap all of this off with a terrific score by the great Lalo Schifrin, who also composed the music for DIRTY HARRY, among other films (BULLITT, ENTER THE DRAGON, RUSH HOUR), and you have a film that is a crime film masterpiece! CHARLEY VARRICK is a near-perfect crime film and is a must-see for fans of these sorts of films. FUN FACT! John Vernon's character says, "They're gonna strip you naked and go to work on you with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch," is paraphrased in PULP FICTION by Marsellus Wallace on what he's going to do to his attackers after Bruce Willis saves him. Below is my review from the last time I watched the film.
3-31-18
Underrated 70s crime film from veteran director Don Siegel
Charley Varrick (1973) ****1/2
Terrific underrated crime film from veteran Hollywood director Don Siegel. Siegel was coming off the biggest hit of his career with “Dirty Harry” when he made this quirky crime film starring Walter Matthau, who at the time was best known for his comedic roles. Matthau plays career criminal Charley Varrick, who pulls a bank job with Andrew Robinson (the deranged killer in “Dirty Harry”), but the two realize there was far more money in the bank than their should have been and that the bank is a mob front, meaning they just robbed the mafia and are now on the run for their lives. To reveal more would spoil the clever and twisting plot, but I can say that things kick off with bank president John Vernon calling upon a laconic mob hitman named Molly, played by the always great Joe Don Baker to track down the stolen money. The rest of the cast includes many familiar character actors, including Norman Fell, William Schallert, and even future director Craig R. Baxley (“I Come in Peace” and “Action Jackson”). The film was co-written by frequent Siegel collaborator Dean Riesner (uncredited script doctor on “Starman”, “Sudden Impact”, and “Blue Thunder” and credited writer on “Dirty Harry”, “Coogan's Bluff”, and “Rich Man, Poor Man”). Siegel’s frequent composer Lalo Schifrin (“Bullitt”, “Enter the Dragon”, “Mission Impossible”) is also on hand to deliver another excellent score. Overall, if you’re fan of 70s crime films along the lines of “Prime Cut” or “The Outfit”, you’ll greatly enjoy “Charley Varrick”. FUN FACT! At one point in the film, John Vernon’s character tell’s another character, "They're gonna strip you naked and go to work on you with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch," which Quentin Tarantino paid homage to in “Pulp Fiction” when Marsellus Wallace says almost the exact same line.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
06/29/25
Full Review
Juan A
This has a tv movie feel to it. Thought it was going to be a little better just because we kick off with the robbery right away. This must be the start of the when the people that do the heist actually start getting away.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
12/15/24
Full Review
Ace R
the only film ive seen where the cops are the good guys and everyone else in it are rotten great movie though
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/01/24
Full Review
Blu B
Underrated All Time Classic. Besides the out of place brief post sex scene and having a little trouble keeping the super fast pace up following the amazing 15 minute opening, this is pretty much flawless across the baord. It masterfully stays focused on Charley while also bouncing between the event driven complex plot in a way that never feels convuluted. This does pick up the pacing once the super sharp script takes over and builds fantastic tension and suspense. Joe Don is an amazing villian in this as well. Along with everyone else giving first rate performances especially Mattahu who is a ice cold badass in this. Everyone should give this a try once.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/21/24
Full Review
Bucky R
The Schifrin soundtrack is killer. Matthau and Baker are great as cold-blooded tough guys.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/16/24
Full Review
Mitch M
A lost classic! The plot is excellent, and Joe Don Baker plays a great hitman for the Mafia. After Charley realizes that he stole Mafia money, he not only has to elude the mob, but he has to figure out how to control his partner who has a very short fuse and is very impatient. Great clever ending!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/12/24
Full Review
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