Stream it:
|
With: Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, James Caan, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Christopher Matthew Cook, David Chattam, Toby Huss, Fredric Lehne, Sharon Gless, Brennan Keel Cook, Susan Gallagher, David Kallaway, Lindsey G. Smith, Stephen Louis Grush, Jared Bankens, Jacob Grodnik
|
Written by: Richard Wenk, based on a novel by Victor Gischler
|
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
|
MPAA Rating: NR
|
Running Time: 90
|
|
Date: 12/08/2023
|
|
|
|
Swift Code
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
This crime tale employs many familiar elements, but, under the guidance of journeyman director Phillip Noyce, it feels crisp, fleet-footed, and spirited, adding up to a solid, entertaining B-movie.
Charlie Swift (Pierce Brosnan) is a hit man and "problem solver" for an old-time Biloxi, Mississippi crime family. The head of the family, Stan (James Caan), has begun to experience memory problems, and Charlie has been looking after him. He is sent to work with a rookie, Blade (Brennan Keel Cook), to take out a troublemaker called "Rollo," but Blade makes a huge mess of the situation, and the body cannot be identified. They go to Rollo's ex-wife, Marcie (Morena Baccarin), for help, and Charlie and Marcie find themselves drawn to one another.
Unfortunately, a new crime boss, Beggar (Gbenga Akinnagbe), is looking for something Rollo had, and takes out most of the members of Charlie's "family." So Charlie steels himself and sets out to find whatever it is that Beggar is looking for, and shut down his entire operation. But Beggar has an ace up his sleeve, a right-hand-man known as "The Freak" (Christopher Matthew Cook).
After an unnecessary flash-forward to a later climactic moment, Fast Charlie — which is based on a novel by Victor Gischler — wins us over early with some unexpectedly bloody and funny moments. From there, even though the usual "looking for a piece of evidence" and "getting revenge" elements don't change, the characters are drawn with such bold, confident strokes, and are so likable, that they power through, making it all feel fresh. (It recalls Elmore Leonard's best stories.)
In particular, Brosnan and Baccarin make a great team, he tentatively sensing a connection, and she asserting herself, refusing to be put in a box. Supporting characters aren't onscreen long enough to make a huge impact — Noyce has chosen speed (the movie runs 90 sturdy minutes) over atmosphere — but there's a good shorthand at work. We know enough about them. It's this overall expert balance of humor, violence, and character that make Fast Charlie so much effortless fun.
|
