The Friends of Eddie Coyle – 1973 – Crime, Thriller
Directed by: Peter Yates
Written by: Paul Monash
Main Players: Robert Mitchum; Peter Boyle; Seven Keats; Richard Jordan; Alex Rocco; Joe Santos; Mitchell Ryan; Peter MacLean
Mr. Partridge (MacLean) exits his suburban home, pulling away in his Mercedes. He is watched by Jimmy Scalise (Rocco). Partridge drives to South Shore National Bank, where another man notes his arrival time, and Scalise pulls up to park also. In heads a bright red Wells Fargo armored truck.
After a few bags of cash are delivered, Scalise heads inside. Mr. Partridge secures the money in the large vault, while Scalise goes to the teller lien for a quick transaction before leaving, his casing of the joint completed.
Meanwhile, Eddie ‘Fingers’ Coyle (Mitchum) hits up a diner for a quick meal. He sits at a table and listens to Jackie Brown (Keats) confirm he can provide guns. They setup a deal. Coyle is looking to secure 30 untraceable weapons from this man. Despite this gun running, Coyle is facing 3-5 years inside as an appeal went south on a stolen goods charge.
Bartender Dillon (Boyle) cleans up after Artie Van (Santos) who calls Coyle on a payphone. The deal appears to be set, and Artie needs guns for his robbery crew, which includes Scalise. At a New Hampshire quarry, Brown pulls up in his lime green 1971 Plymouth Road Runner 383, meeting his supplier. He picks up his loot, ready to turn it around for profit and flip some guns to Eddie. As the players all have their sights set on criminal events and making money, the heat is right around the corner. Who will make it out unscathed?
The Friends of Eddie Coyle has a group of good actors and a serious tone which matches a strong script, which was based on a book. Mitchum is fantastic in the main role, but there is enough else going on that the supporting cast also gets to shine. The criminal elements are interesting and drive the plot along with an enthralling atmosphere.
It is short enough that it whips along, while featuring a well-directed pacing for its intriguing plot. It is a believable tale with some nice twists that push it along to its climax. Check it out if you dig classic crime thrillers.
Don’t get your bowels in an uproar.
See This If You Liked:
The Outfit (1973); Thief (1981); Charley Varrick; The Town (2010); Heat (1995); Dog Day Afternoon; The Bank Job; Reservoir Dogs; Bonnie and Clyde (1967); Public Enemies (2009)
Score:
8.0