A crime romp within whose framework Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds can exercise their familiar film characters. The word framework just about sums up the plot, which is set in the early Thirties and concerns the demise of private eye Reynolds's partner and the subsequent battle by Reynolds and cop Eastwood (his former police colleague) to corner the two gang leaders involved. Jane Alexander is (very good as) the wisecracking secretary, Madeline Kahn plays Reynolds' high-society moll and Irene Cara is a frightened witness. Reynolds displays his agility, Eastwood walks down Main Street in the open while others fire at him from cover, there's a lot of fairly inconsequential gunfire and a running gag about a suitcase loaded with dynamite. It's all pretty enjoyable. Just don't expect any surprises.

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