Fast Charlie

DECEMBER 6TH, 2023

MOVIE: FAST CHARLIE

STARRING: PIERCE BROSNAN, MORENA BACCARIN, JAMES CAAN, GBENGA AKINNAGBE

AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)

Movies about hitmen, secret agents, spies, cleaners, and bag men, all share similar traits, but it’s often the man that makes it work. Pierce Brosnan is one of those guys. He’s smooth and constantly cool. This is why Fast Charlie is a perfect fit for his suave disposition. There’s also plenty of humility, as we are introduced to Charlie Swift with his pants down, literally. It starts with the lead character in a tight situation and director Phillip Noyce takes us through how he exactly got there. That’s how it turns into an inspired character study, about a guy who is trying to get out of the profession, but as always happens, he’s pulled back in. With Mr. Brosnan in the driver’s seat, Fast Charlie is a slick throwback, filled with action and the sharp lifestyle of being a hitman.

It starts with a simple job. Charlie Swift (Brosnan) picks up Blade (Brennan Keel Cook), a fellow “co-worker”, the two are supposed to pick up a guy named Rollo, kill him and deliver the body to boss Beggar (Gbenga Akinnagbe). The problem is that Blade blows Rollo’s head off and you can’t exactly identify a guy without that. This forces Charlie to locate Rollo’s ex-wife Marcie (Morena Baccarin), hoping she can identify her dead ex, but now she becomes wrapped up in it. The job was offered to Charlie by his old boss Stan (the last performance of the great James Caan) and now that Beggar wasn’t pleased with how it all went down, this now puts all associates out hunting for Charlie and Marcie. The challenge becomes getting to Charlie first, as he’s known to eliminate others faster than a speeding bullet.

Right off the bat, what is instantly clear with Fast Charlie, is that director Phillip Noyce understands how to nail down a tone. The screenplay, written by Richard Wenk, adapting the novel Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler, has an old-school edge. Similar to Shane Black films such as The Nice Guys or Lethal Weapon, the balance is sharp humor and blunt action. That comes to fruition through the chemistry between Brosnan and Baccarin. When it turns into a blend of buddy cop and road trip comedy we get to spend time with the two, which creeps towards romance but takes the task at hand seriously. Although Fast Charlie can feel cliche and derivative of past paid killer stories, this fits right into Brosnan’s wheelhouse and he delivers the goods.

One of the major highlights of Fast Charlie is that it’s James Caan’s final performance. The Godfather star passed away in 2022, and although his age may be showing a bit, his spark is brighter than ever. Noyce works with his scenes elegantly. Moments shared between Brosnan and Caan are gentle reflections on the time we have left; Two men on the back half, having spent their time living as cold-hearted killers, and finding it difficult to let go up to the very end. Nothing says pure cinema more than these two titans sharing a scene while drinking Manhattans.

Fast Charlie is ultimately an old-fashioned 90s action throwback. The character study is rich with depth and the fun is just going along for the ride. Sure, there are moments where Brosnan fights hired goons, finds himself trapped in a laundry shoot, and closes up bullet wounds with a quick stitch. That just comes with the territory in the hitman business. And who better to be that guy other than Pierce Brosnan? It’s one of the coolest characters he’s ever played. Thomas Crown. James Bond. Charlie Swift. You never get tired of guys like this. That’s how they always bring you back in. Can’t quit the action and Fast Charlie has the juice.

FAST CHARLIE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AND PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS.

3 STARS

Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com

Leo Brady