‘It’s a grubby, violent, dangerous world. But it’s the only world they know. And they’re the only friends Eddie has.’

Directed by:
Peter Yates

Written by:
George V. Higgins (novel), Paul Monash (screenplay)

Cast:
Robert Mitchum (Eddie Coyle), Peter Boyle (Dillon), Richard Jordan (Dave Foley), Steven Keats (Jackie Brown), Alex Rocco (Scalise), Joe Santos (Artie Van), Mitchell Ryan (Waters), Peter MacLean (Partridge, Manager of First Bank), Kevin O’Morrison (Manager, Second Bank), Marvin Lichterman (Vernon, Clerk, Second Bank)

In 1972, The Godfather was released – the most legendary gangster film of all time. A year later, director Peter Yates (Bullitt) delivered a different breed of crime film. While Don Corleone is a mob leader of almost insurmountable power and influence, the criminals in The Friends of Eddie Coyle barely qualify to cater Connie Corleone’s wedding.

The story revolves around small-time crooks in Boston’s underworld. These gangsters are based on the real Winter Hill Gang, later famously led by James ‘Whitey’ Bulger and later portrayed in films like Black Mass and The Departed.

Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) supplies guns to a group of bank robbers connected to the Irish mob in Boston. He is also a stool pigeon for policeman Dave Foley (Richard Jordan). He thinks he’s friends with bar owner Dillon (Peter Boyle), who is also snitching to Foley without his knowledge. Dillon isn’t really his friend. Eddie has no friends: the title is ironic. Coyle gets tangled in a complex web of double-crosses and botched crimes, eventually becoming a target for the local mob boss.

The film’s strength lies in its authentic dialogue and characters. This is truly the bottom of the barrel in terms of criminal hierarchy. Eddie Coyle – perfectly portrayed by Robert Mitchum – is the ultimate low-life crook. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the acting and writing are top-notch. And the ending must be the most unglamorous ending ever for a gangster film.

Rating:

Quote
FOLEY: “You remember Eddie Fingers? Eddie Coyle?” (“The bank robber, the one from Natick?”) “Nah, that’s his sidekick, Artie Van. Eddie doesn’t rob banks.”

Trivia
The film is based on the debut novel by George V. Higgins which is often praised for its authenticity. Legendary crime writer Elmore Leonard famously called it: “The best crime novel ever written.”