Fast Charlie

Fast Charlie' hit me with a wave of nostalgia. Like a throwback to the classic action movies of the past but with a fresh twist. The film has this vintage vibe, from the choice of music to the way scenes are shot, reminiscent of old-school crime thrillers. Brosnan fits into this world seamlessly, almost like a nod to his earlier roles, or maybe standing on the shoulders of those roles. There's a familiarity in 'Fast Charlie' that brings back memories of sitting on the couch, watching action heroes take on the bad guys. Yet, it doesn't feel dated. The movie balances its nostalgic elements with contemporary themes and visuals, making it a unique blend of old and new. It's a film that can be appreciated by fans of classic action as well as newcomers to the genre.

I find it very, very interesting that a large number of highly-rated reviews of "Fast Charlie" have been written by "users" (a.k.a, Chat GPT) who have only been members of the site for four weeks. What are the odds that people are coming out of the woodwork to rate this little flick 10 stars out of 10! It's almost like the studio started some sort of guerrilla marketing campaign to trick unsuspecting viewers into renting this movie for $5.99 due to the positive reviews. For better or for worse I was one of those unsuspecting viewers who only took a cursory glance at the scores before deciding to settle down for the night and watch this movie. And you know what? While half of the current reviews on IMDB may be written by artificial intelligence, they are actually doing "Fast Charlie" a disservice by advertising it that way because - coming from a real person - this movie isn't bad.

I watched the trailer for "Fast Charlie" a few weeks ago, being utterly convinced that it was just another old man action movie, akin to what Liam Neeson has been putting out for the past decade or so. Luckily for me, the trailer actually undersells this movie. "Fast Charlie" is an action film, but it's also a romance, a black comedy, and a vehicle for Pierce Brosnan to sport a southern accent while driving around New Orleans, hunting down those who did him wrong. It's a simple enough premise, but I couldn't help but enjoy both the setting and the character of Charlie Swift.

Pierce Brosnan is as charming as charming can be here as a somehow lovable hitman with a southern charm that manages to be somehow both unassuming and threatening. Charlie is a killer - no doubt about it - but one that has managed to maintain his humanity. So, it's fun to watch Charlie dispatch his enemies, but it's equally as fun to watch Charlie fall for one Marcie Kramer, played by the gorgeous Morena Baccarin. Pierce gives a multilayered performance that combines stone-cold killer with southern beau, and it works in a movie that plays itself seriously enough to convey the stakes but not so seriously that it comes across as the 100th "Taken" ripoff.

To its credit, "Fast Charlie" is trying to do something different - and it does, as this is not as straightforward of an action movie as the trailer portrays itself as being. Sure, Pierce does engage in a plethora of shootouts, but the film cares less about action and more about the interactions between the characters; luckily, this is a nice change of pace, as Pierce and Morena are pretty great in their roles and really entertaining to watch as they stomp around the southern U. S. The movie is also surprisingly funny, ensuring that viewers get moments of levity among the blood-soaked gunfights. However, as this is a low budget picture, keep your expectations in check: You're not going to get as high octane of an action film as you may expect, as everything is played slightly subdued here, most likely due to Brosnan's age. That said, "Fast Charlie" works very well for fans of Pierce, and for fans of lower budget action thrillers. This might not be the freshest or most innovative film, but it is certainly entertaining enough to warrant a viewing or two. And if you're a fan of Brosnan? Well then, you may have found one of your newest favorite films.

What sets this film apart is its embrace of well-trodden genre tropes, turning them into an engaging Southern thriller set in the grittier parts of Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. The movie's charm lies in its acknowledgment of familiar storylines while presenting them in a way that feels both comfortable and exciting. Brosnan's portrayal of Charlie is particularly noteworthy. He captures the essence of a man grappling with the decision to leave his dangerous life behind. His performance is filled with nuances that make Charlie more than just a typical hitman; he's a character with depth and relatable human conflicts. Every time this film got too emotional or to heavy, it was lightened with a well timed laugh and all of that was split up by really inventive action scenes. Some films are greater than the sum of their parts. This one certainly is.

Very decent movie with pretty nice cast.

In short:

Brosnan plays a role of a very matured executioner or concierge for a local mob. He is loyal to his boss. So when a bad guy aims several of his fellow people he gets things in his hands. On his way he also meets a wife of a thug he had to remove and they simply get attracted to each other. This is a slow evolving attraction yet you can almost feel the nice heat. I enjoyed the scene when he says "How about we...you know".

Dialogues are good. Story is nice. Typical but nice. He shoots, fights. With his distance to himself he presents very good alternative to Liam Neesom because he has his very special sense of humor while Neesom is always poetically sad.

Pretty nice role of James Caan - his last show.

The movie has rather low budget and we see it clearly yet it does not affect the pleasure of watching.

Female character is a pleasure to watch - she is nice, attractive and very feminine.

In general I enjoyed the movie very much.

Wow, the level of gritty realism in this movie is something else. It's like they've stripped back the usual glamor of gangster flicks and shown us the raw, real-life stakes of living in the criminal underworld. Pierce Brosnan plays this weary hitman with such a grounded and gritty demeanor, it's a world away from the typical invincible action hero. The way the film portrays the world of mob dealings and fixers feels brutally honest - no sensationalizing, no glorifying. It's a deep dive into the murky waters of moral ambiguity, where every choice has weight and consequences. This film goes beyond just entertainment; it's a study in character and a portrayal of the harsh realities of a life in crime. If you're tired of the usual Hollywood sheen on crime stories, 'Fast Charlie' is a refreshing and compelling alternative that doesn't shy away from the truth.