Freebie and the Bean (1974)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Memorable, crazy movie

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

You cannot fault this movie from two of the best actors of their generation. It is full of surprises and twists. It is said to be the inspiration for Starskie and Hutch. It is not easy to find this movie on DVD, but it is worth looking for if you enjoy non-PC action and fast dialogue that has since been copied in so many cop movies. I have met the 'bad guy' Jack Kruschen, and he is actually one of the nicest guys you could meet, cast against character in this movie. Whatever you think of cop movies, you will find Freebie and the Bean has twists you cannot predict, and when they stuff their ears before a gun battle you will recognise that the movie is closer to reality than most all others you have seen.

It was my first starring role in a major motion picture. Richard Rush, the director, was a doll and held my hand every step of the way knowing I was a newbie. He is responsible for really molding my performance, which is what made this 'buddy' movie stand out. Alan Arkin is a genius. He can speak backwards. James Caan was an arrogant asshole. I myself hung out with Alan's son, Matthew, who was about 12 at the time. He was a 30-year-old man inside a twelve-year-old. And I was a ten-year-old inside a 21-year-old body so it worked. Matthew was so bright and so funny and never asked me stupid questions. We had a great time together. What a pair we must have made!

I've just watched this movie again after not seeing it since i was about 12. i loved it then, love it even more now. It's a great movie with awesome car chases, stunt work and some achingly funny dialogue, not to mention some terrific performances especially from Alan Arkin as Bean. Those of you who have not yet seen this movie, i would urge you to track it down. If you're a fan of 70's cop/car chase movies. it has not had a VHS release in the u.k since 1982, and no DVD release in sight. It is long overdue for a reissue considering the talent involved. Director Richard Rush went on to make the excellent Stunt Man with Peter O'Toole and Steve Railsback.

This Is a classic 70's 'Buddy Buddy comedy/Actioneer, that certainly paved the way for '48hr's 'Leathal Weapon' and many more cop flick's 'Freebie And The Bean' star's James Caan, as the macho tough guy 'freebie' Alan Arkin, is the short fused and neurotic 'Bean' Freebie And The Bean have one goal together and that's to bring down the Obnoxious 'Red Myer's who is the local mafia kingpin, but whilst waiting for the Warrant to Arrest their man,They have to wait until Monday for the Important Warrant to arrive,The pair have to fight off various hit men,It's down to Freebie And The Bean, to catch the assassins's And try and get their man with hilarious and riotous result's which have some of the finest car stunt's committed to celluloid!, Freebie And The Bean Also star's Lorreta Swit, Alex(Godfather Rocco) And Valerie Harper AsArkin's wife,There is a mildly amusing subplot which has Arkin Convinced his Ethnic wife is cheating on him with equally hilarious result's!The film also excel's in the verbal Chit Chat between Arkin And Caan, The film has numerous funny moment's including the scene where Arkin/Caan, whilst in pursuit of the Assasain's Accidentally Skid off the highway and crash in to two old people's apartment wall! That scene has got to be seen to be believed!The stunt men and women must have got paid a lot for this film, and it show's incidentally the director Richard Rush, later Directed another cult favorite 'The Stunt Man,Hopefully warner brother's will finally release this although the film like a lot of 70's classic's is overtly not PC(politically Correct) It'll be great to view it in It's 2:35 -1 Aspect Ratio, a commentary track by Arkin And Caan, would make a load of fan's happy,