Freebie and the Bean (1974)

Boring

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Richard Rush directed this (intentionally?) uneven blend of comic-macho clumsiness and violent police action set in San Francisco. Two cops (well-cast buddy couple, Alan Arkin and James Caan) bust chops and wreck cars in an attempt to nab a numbers-racketeer. Rush is attracted to a messy visual style--cajoling comedy combined with bursts of bloody violence--yet the blood is cartoon-red, a signal to us this is all in good fun. One of the villains is an evil transvestite, another cue for derisive approval (villainous gays quickly became a lamentable cliché, coming right on the heels of murderous hippies). The leads are wired for self-detonation (was Rush trying to get them to emulate Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland from "MASH"?). Supporting cast is solid, with Valerie Harper exceptional in small role as Arkin's wife, and some of the comedy works, but much of the rest is decidedly off-putting. ** from ****

An almost perfect movie. Richard Rush, who, up until this point, was known primarily as the director of a bunch of biker films that WEREN'T EASY RIDER, directed this inspired lunacy that teams James Caan and Alan Arkin as cops who'll do whatever it takes to nail dapper mobster Jack Kruschen. Caan and Arkin have chemistry to burn and the script by Robert Kaufman is very biting. Rush's direction is stellar as the film is nearly breathtakingly fast paced. The chase scenes in this film are great. It's funny, violent, and sometimes creepy (check out Christopher Morley as a very unpleasant transvestite). With Alex Rocco, Mike Kellin, Loretta Swit, and Valerie Harper, who has a small role as Arkin's hot-blooded wife Consuelo.

One of the worst of the '70's cop movies exploiting the successes of Dirty Harry, French Connection and Bullitt. Probably a role model for the commercial formulaic productions of Bruckheimer, in which a meaningless, contrived plot is disguised by interminable car chases and a loud abrasive soundtrack. One of the chases was probably staged to show off James Caan's motorbiking skills, which were admittedly quite impressive. What little chemistry there was between Alan Arkin and James Caan was swamped by gross overacting, meaningless banter and over-the-top yelling. The filmmakers couldn't decide whether to make a comedy or a police action drama, and failed miserably on both counts. One to be avoided.

Before Riggs and Murtaugh, or even Starsky & Hutch, there's Freebie and The Bean, most in-your face buddy team of the police force. Maybe they are the laughing stock of the police force. These team make Dirty Harry want to change his ways of handling crime. These guys put the P.B. in Police Brutality! But in a funny way! Other than attacking the perpetrators they attack each other. Freebie(James Caan) is a hot-head and practical joker, while Bean(Alan Arkin) is calm in some ways just as the same as Freebie. Ford really put themselves in high gear with their vehicles, and the famous white LTD, took a lot of punishment through the movie. My favorite scenes is where the car leaped off the bridge, and made a window in someone's apartment. Calling a tow truck? HA! You better call a crane instead. While most cops work out their differences, Freebie and the Bean handle their way, they go at each others throats! This movie is funny, scary, and adventurous all together, with the choice of stars, everything was pulled off great. And how. What a comedy! While you have a chance. 4 out of 5 stars.