Gang Fight

By J.C.

THE OUTFIT

Directed and Written by

JOHN FLYNN

Any humble hopes for this poorhouse thriller evaporate in the opening sequence. Two mob gunmen arrive at a back-country farm to make a hit. Their quarry is doing some chores. Without a word, they confront him, pull their weapons, shoot him twice in the heart, and go away. Around his still body his pet dog capers and moans. Over in the corral a horse paces desperately. And the screen door on the porch bangs open and closed in the wind. Cliches are not the exclusive province of dialogue.

The Outfit is the sort of yarn (ex-con goes up against the Mob biggies for revenge) that needs to have every moment blasted by visual invention. Director Flynn makes a movie that has been seen before, without either the skill or spirit that distinguished such excellent predecessors as Point Blank and Get Carter.

Robert Duvall, a fine actor shipwrecked here, plays the same part that Lee Marvin played in Point Blank; indeed, both movies were adapted from Richard Stark thrillers. The supporting cast is spiked with faces familiar from other criminal excursions (Elisha Cook, Marie Windsor, Emile Meyer, Sheree North). Their presence was probably intended to be an affectionate homage, but just increases the enervating familiarity of the entire enterprise. Robert Ryan, looking worn (this was one of his last roles), appears as Mr. Big, who is constantly being irritated by his young wife, the egregious Joanna Cassidy.

Duvall is a professional criminal, already at odds with the straight world. Now he must also stand against the criminal world as he wages a bloody vendetta against the Mob that had his brother killed. He gets to them by busting up some of their more successful undertakings (a casino, a bookie parlor) and turning the profits over to his sister-in-law. He himself waits for a clear shot at Mr. Big, a long and weary wait.

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