A One Mann’s Movies review of “Fast Charlie” (2024).
“Fast Charlie”, streaming on Prime Video, attracted me for two reasons*. Firstly, however dire some of his film choices have been, I do like watching Pierce Brosnan on the screen. Secondly, this one was directed by the veteren film director Phillip Noyce who led two of my favourite thrillers of all time: “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger”, both starring Harrison Ford. Sadly, this didn’t live up to those classics. But it still had its moments.
(* Cheap joke about Morena Baccarin swerved and avoided!)
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
Charlie (Pierce Brosnan) is a hit man for Florida-based mob leader Stan Mullen (James Caan). When a rival mob muscle in on the turf and kill Mullen and all of his team, Charlie’s best move is to run and run far away. But he is made of sterner stuff and his loyalty to his boss and friend lead him on a trail of revenge.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: NR. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong injury detail, violence, language, sex references”.)
Talent:
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, James Caan, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Christopher Matthew Cook, Sharon Gless.
Directed by: Phillip Noyce.
Written by: Richard Wenk. (Based on the novel “Gun Monkeys” by Victor Gischler.)
Twitter Handle: #FastCharlie.
Running Time: 1h 30m.
Charlie (Pierce Brosnan) is caught with his pants down. (Source: Signature Entertainment)
“Fast Charlie” Review:
Positives:
- Brosnan is in surprisingly twinkling form and seems to be enjoying himself with this one. Despite the age difference (70 plays 44…. #punching!) he creates good chemistry with Morena Baccarin’s taxidermist-in-peril (and that’s not a phrase I’m likely to use again in any reviews!). A scene where he makes a pass, to be laughingly but politely rejected, is very sweet.
- It is good to see the late James Caan on the screen. This was his last film to be released (although IMDB reports another film “Dark Harvest” that is still “In Production”). Sharon Gless (of “Cagney and Lacey” fame) also has a small cameo.
- The film was memorable for me in having two interesting “kills”…. one involving a doughnut; the other involving an airbag. I will leave those to your imagination.
Negatives:
- I feel like we’ve seen this story of battling mob bosses so many time before that it’s really difficult to get excited about this film.
- I found Brosnan’s drawling southern accent highly unconvincing I’m afraid.
Taxidermist about to get stuffed?? Morena Baccarin plays Marcie Kramer. (Source: Signature Entertainment)
Summary Thoughts on “Fast Charlie”
It’s not terrible. If you want a fairly mindless bit of hokum with a twinkly Brosnan, then there are far worse films you could watch. This is streaming on Prime Video.
Trailer for “Fast Charlie”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEjexRdeuo0 .
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