Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) is a small time hood in Boston who is about to be sent to jail. But the cops make a deal with him--if he becomes an informant for them they'll make sure he stays out of jail. However things don't work out quite like Eddie hoped they would.
Dark, gritty and depressing story. It's shot on location in Boston which helps the mood and feel of the movie. Bostonians might get a kick out of seeing what Boston and the suburbs looked like in the 1970s. There's good dialogue and a real feel for what cops and robbers really act like. Also there's a GREAT performance by Mitchum who really took a risk by playing a totally unlikable character. Also good are Richard Jordan and Steven Keats. However this just doesn't work. It's far too quiet and muted (two bank robberies are done in almost total silence). It may be more realistic but it sure isn't that interesting. As I said the dialogue and acting are good but the story is totally ordinary--it's been done before (and since). It all leads to a tragic ending that I saw coming long before we saw it. So, aside from some great acting, dialogue and beautiful Boston scenery this has little to offer. However, Mitchum fans will love this because this has got to be one of his best performances ever. I can only give it a 5.
Dark, gritty and depressing story. It's shot on location in Boston which helps the mood and feel of the movie. Bostonians might get a kick out of seeing what Boston and the suburbs looked like in the 1970s. There's good dialogue and a real feel for what cops and robbers really act like. Also there's a GREAT performance by Mitchum who really took a risk by playing a totally unlikable character. Also good are Richard Jordan and Steven Keats. However this just doesn't work. It's far too quiet and muted (two bank robberies are done in almost total silence). It may be more realistic but it sure isn't that interesting. As I said the dialogue and acting are good but the story is totally ordinary--it's been done before (and since). It all leads to a tragic ending that I saw coming long before we saw it. So, aside from some great acting, dialogue and beautiful Boston scenery this has little to offer. However, Mitchum fans will love this because this has got to be one of his best performances ever. I can only give it a 5.