Point Blank

If you liked "Point Blank" then check out the books written by Richard Stark (actually Donald Westlake) who also wrote the Dortmunder books ("The Hot Rock"). The character is named Parker, and the books are wonderful. "Point Blank" captures the characters' shark-like personality, he doesn't register your existence unless it affects the heist, or his appetites at the time. "Payback" is not even worth typing a sentence about. The Parker paperbacks are somewhat hard to find, but are worth the effort, find as many as you can. There is also a series of re-prints, titles have been changed.

Most people view this as being a classic however in my view it does not quite meet those standards. Having read the novels for such a long time and watching the action unfold to be precise disapointment was one word and awe another. Watching Marvin as Walker a thief who plays himself as wanting no blood on his hands he charges through the criminal under world with an unmatched temper. Seeking out the friend who double crossed and the wife who became his lover. Playing off as a Parker character he does it great through the acting but the action is missing a few pages. As the cold blooded Walker he does not even kill anyone rather he just forces them around. Which did not settle well with me as a reader of the novels as stated above this lead to me believe that Hollywood wanted a movie which would not offend. It makes me beg the question of why produce is anyway. High caliber actors and a great assortment of characters dot this story of a man seeking his claims but why edit the violence from the novel? Making his character like a declawed kitten however he is they do however redeem themselves. Marvin walks into a bathroom ambush and walks out leaving two bleeding and injured hitmen behind. On top of that he managed to play the character to a near Gibson like... well if you can call it that standard. Boorman directed this and he did an okay job there are things which could have been improved. Stylish film noir does not quite fit this as a tag line rather it's more of a PI story laced with the criminal elements over the noir factors. Get Payback done better and with a more cold static feeling.

Director: John Boorman
Format: Color
Studio: Warner Studios
Video Release Date: June 22, 1994

Cast:

Lee Marvin ... Walker
Angie Dickinson ... Chris
Keenan Wynn ... Yost
Carroll O'Connor ... Brewster
Lloyd Bochner ... Frederick Carter
Michael Strong ... Big John Stegman
John Vernon ... Mal Reese
Sharon Acker ... Lynne
James Sikking ... Hired Gun
Sandra Warner ... Waitress
Roberta Haynes ... Mrs. Carter
Kathleen Freeman ... First Citizen
Victor Creatore ... Carter's Man
Lawrence Hauben ... Car Salesman
Susan Holloway ... Girl Customer
Sid Haig ... 1st Penthouse Lobby Guard
Michael Bell ... 2nd Penthouse Lobby Guard
Priscilla Boyd ... Receptionist
John McMurtry ... Messenger
Ron Walters ... Young Man in Apartment
George Strattan ... Young Man in Apartment
Nicole Rogell ... Carter's Secretary
Rico Cattani ... Reese's Guard
Roland La Starza ... Reese's Guard
Bill Hickman ... Guard
Chuck Hicks ... Guard
John Kerr ... Stevie, Actor in televised movie
Joseph Mell ... Man
Andrew Orapeza ... Desk Clerk
Felix Silla ... Bellhop
Ted White ... Football Player
Louis Whitehill ... Policeman
Casey Brandon ... Dancer
Jerry Catron ... Man
Lauren Bacall ... Actress in televised movie
Karen Lee ... Waitress
Roseann Williams ... Dancer
Bonnie Dewberry ... Dancer
Carey Foster ... Dancer

Walker (Lee Marvin) took part in a heist which went sour. Double-crossed and shot by his partner Mal Reese (John Vernon), who also takes up with his wife, who thinks he is dead; Walker, however, survives and comes back for his ninety-three thousand dollar share, and vengeance. This film is reminiscent of the movie, "Payback," with Mel Gibson, which has a very similar plot. It, however, came later.

Filmed partly on the old federal prison at Alcatraz (Pelican) Island, in San Francisco Bay, as well as in several other old cell blocks, the set alone is interesting.

Angie Dickinson plays Chris, Walker's sister-in-law. In one scene she administers a physical beating to Lee Marvin that must have required him to wear padded clothing to withstand it, even though he is larger, and, one would expect, much stronger. She really cuts loose and is not pulling her punches, most of which land on his chest.

This is an entertaining film, and results in some very satisfying feelings of vengeance.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books