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Rewatched The Friends of Eddie Coyle last night.
It’s remains the best “Boston” movie ever and one of the best noirs ever made. It’s a true classic. Eddie Coyle’s influence on the early 21st century “Boston” movie genre is even more apparent on the rewatch.
It’s remains the best “Boston” movie ever and one of the best noirs ever made. It’s a true classic. Eddie Coyle’s influence on the early 21st century “Boston” movie genre is even more apparent on the rewatch.
The bank robberies are elaborate operations but Peter Yates films each one in a very understated style. Everything goes smoothly that you barely notice how complicated their plans are until one of the heists does not go as planned.
Robert Mitchum is perfect as the over the hill Eddie Coyle muddling through life. His life is not that glamorous life shown in so many other gangster flicks. Coyle is trying to squeak out a living without busting his knuckles and going to jail again. He can barely pay the plumber
Peter Boyle delivers a great performance as Dillon, the connected bartender character in the know. His quiet disdain for Coyle comes out in the final third of the film when he carelessly pours pints over and over. It’s a great detail captures by Yates.
Steven Keats thrives as Jackie Brown, the flashy but paranoid gun dealer with the obnoxious neon Plymouth Road Runner. Quentin Tarantino would later title his third feature film “Jackie Brown”
He also has one of the best lines in the entire movie: “This life is hard, but it’s harder if you’re stupid.”
Another thing I forgot before rewatching: Moe Green!
Alex Rocco plays Jimmy Scalise, the leader of the bank robbery ring from Fall River.
Alex Rocco plays Jimmy Scalise, the leader of the bank robbery ring from Fall River.
And of course there’s Richard Jordan who nails the role of slick US Treasury agent Dave Foley. He clearly has his own agenda. Is it career advancement? Is he really one of Eddie’s “friends” or is he using him?
“It’s a grubby, violent, dangerous world. But it’s the only world they know and they’re the only friends Eddie has.”
The Friends of Eddie Coyle is streaming for free on @Kanopy. If you have a valid public library card you can access a truckload of movies, TV shows, and more for free. It’s a great service. Kanopy is available on most smart TVs. I use it on a Fire Stick.
Anyway, check out the @BrattleTheatre’s Boston on Film program and throw them a few bucks if you can! https://www.brattlefilm.org/virtual-programs/boston-on-film/
