Stick, Le Justicier de Miami

Burt Reynolds stars and dominates in the title role of Ernest 'Stick' Stickley, newly released from prison who immediately gets right back involved with criminal activities with old prison buddy Jose Perez. A decade later the incident where Perez is killed was almost done word for word in Al Pacino's Carlito's Way.

Unlike Pacino however, Reynolds would like to stay clear of things, but he's got a score to settle over Perez. For a bit of cover and protection he takes a job with flamboyant movie producer George Segal who really overacts outrageously with tongue firmly in cheek. Still the people who did in his friend Perez who are drug dealers Castulo Guerra and Charles Durning are out to get Reynolds.

You have to see Durning in his costume trying to wear those 80s fashions and looking rather stupid in the process.

Fabled Hollywood stuntman Dar Robinson has a nice role as an albino hit man for Guerra. He's one scary dude. In fact for the screen's sake he dies twice. I thought Reynolds had done him in once, but he was back and the second time there was no doubt.

Guerra's character proves there's less than meets the eye with him. You'll have to see the climax to know what I'm talking about. And that hairpiece, send him to Queer Eye for maybe the not so straight guy.

Reynolds has a few cynically comic moments, but he's a lot more grim here than usual. Due to the subject matter no doubt.

Burt's fans will like it, so should others.

Veteran star Burt Reynolds directed himself for the fourth time in this okay adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. It's definitely minor league in terms of the Leonard adaptations out there, but it entertains adequately. Burt is cast as Ernest "Stick" Stickley, an ex-con who hooks up with old friend Rainy (Jose Perez) and accompanies him on a drug deal gone sour. Stick then becomes determined to exact some revenge on behalf of Rainy, taking on creeps like the dorky Chucky (Charles Durning) and the more genuinely menacing Nestor (Castulo Guerra).

Leonard is credited as one of the screenwriters, but wasn't overly pleased with the final results, since Universal ended up removing a fair bit of his trademark humour and replacing it with action scenes - to make it more "commercially viable". The result is a basically watchable movie that increases in interest and entertainment value as it goes along, and the characters become more engaging. Along the way, we get many lovely shots of Florida locales, and an upbeat score by Barry DeVorzon and Joseph Conlan. The film offers some sex appeal and violence, but shouldn't be too ugly for some viewers to take.

Burt is kind of going through the motions here, even as Stick reconnects with his young daughter (Tricia Leigh Fisher, younger half-sister of Carrie Fisher) and attempts to romance beautiful financial advisor Kyle (Candice Bergen, who does look great). George Segal is fatally annoying as motor mouthed rich dude Barry, a guy who likes to hobnob with the criminal element. Richard Lawson is good as one of Segals' employees. Durnings' performance is likewise good, but he looks so ridiculous with that wig, the false eyebrows, and that wardrobe that it's hard to take him seriously. Guerra offers the standout performance as the true villain of the piece.

But the real reason to watch "Stick" is to see the late, legendary stuntman Dar Robinson in an extended acting role, as a psychotic, albino henchman named Moke. He's a lot of fun to watch, and his final scene is memorable.

The Leonard purist might not be too fond of how this turned out, but it's reasonably enjoyable for Reynolds fans.

Six out of 10.

The Good Stuff:

Candice Bergen looks gorgeous. Small role by David Reynoso. The late Dar Robinson as the "Albino Hitman". The Albino Hitman falling to his death while emptying his six shooter looks real cool.

The Bad Stuff:

Charles Durning in a blond wig is really hard to take (those crazy looking eyebrows!).

The Verdict:

Typical 80's flick with lots of flashy cars, drug dealers, one colorful hitman, directed by Mr. Reynolds, that even if looking dated manages to entertain.

I agree with Chuck O'Leary from Pittsburg. I loved this movie. In fact, in the mid-80's it was one of the first VHS tape productions that made my sorry old Samsung (1973) look good! I ran the sound in "hi-fi stereo" through my stereo rig and this was my first home theater (don't laugh!). Anyway, the story is good and if you like Burt, well, you have to see the movie. Unfortunately, no DVD out yet, nor any great demand. But, hey, if Green Ice can be released on DVD, can Stick be far behind?

Things to look for on the (eventual) DVD . . . the many fine Florida sunsets. There's lots of "perfect lighting" in this movie, with both exterior and interior shots. The bad guys are sufficiently deserving of your verbal lashing. Finally the soundtrack is very mood inducing but not ornate. Think Miami Vice meets Live or Die in LA. I'd give the movie as a whole, 7 out of 10 stars, especially considering its age.

Oh one last thing, very important. Hit the mute button when Candice Bergman starts to sing. Life's too short. . . .

"Stick' is a fairly routine Burt Reynolds action film. I was never convinced that Reynolds motivation, revenging the death of his drug runner friend, felt warranted. The villains are highlighted by a brutal albino, and Charles Durning wearing a ridiculous wig. Cartoon like violence detracts, and were it not for some welcome humor associated with George Segal's flamboyant character, the movie would be totally forgettable. Candice Bergen as Reynolds love interest is cold as ice, and never convincing in her role as a financial adviser to Segal. The choppy editing and lack of any suspense further detracts. I would say that "Stick" is watchable but has little to recommend it. - MERK