Cops and Robbers (1973)

A true secret pleasure of a film.

By tb4244  May 22, 2000

I have a weakness for a couple dozen original, enjoyable films. I can sit and watch them over and over. Casablanca heads the list- how obvious. While others on the list are classics, such as Dr. Strangelove and To Kill a Mockingbird, and most were p...retty successful- Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Shawshank Redemption- there are a few like Cops and Robbers. The fact mine is the only review so far says something about its popularity.Still, it has a decent story and positive feel that are a pleasure. Cliff Gorman and Joe Bologna both have some decent film credits, but were perfect for their roles as NY cops overcome by their lives of boredom interupted by sudden danger. Both are native New Yorkers and wore their mid-'70s sideburns and middle-aged weariness as comfortably as their uniforms.Director Aram Avakian had more success as an editor- The Miracle Worker- but fit the pace of the film to the pace of the boys' lives. The character actors in mobster roles found the right balance of cliche' and grit. John P. Ryan softly filled a role that today would drop in the lap of Dennis Farina.Michel Legrand's score is another perfect fit that sets a special soft tone in a manner that reminds me of his Oscar-winning work in The Thomas Crown Affair (the original version). I enjoyed the momentary glimpses that seemed taken from The Godfather and even The Graduate. Writer Donald Westlake had just taken another of his novels, The Hot Rock, to the screen and later wrote The Grifters.It's one of those just right movies. Read more Less