Now that it has been around my 4th or 5th viewing of this Burt Reynold's vehicle, I think I can finally review it proper. When I think of an early 1980's cop drama, "Sharky's Machine", continues to come to mind now again and again. In June of this year, I purchased a Sony Betamax machine. As a favor to me, a friend of mine picked it up and played back some tapes on it for me. I also asked for a dub of "Sharky's Machine". Just making sure the machine worked alone, I viewed this title a handful of times as background noise. After the second or third viewing, I began to actually sit down and take this film in.
After recently getting knocked down to vice from homicide, Tom Sharky (Reynolds), begins to monitor a vice case full of corruption. Drugs, prostitution, and murder, litters the streets of Atlanta, leading all the way up to the election of the Governor of the State. Sharky starts surveillance on a call girl Domino (Rachel Ward). As time goes by we discover a crime lord Victor (Vittorio Gassman) has been controlling Domino's life ever since she was a young girl, but now she wants out. After a botched murder attempt on her by Victor's hitman, Billy Score (Henry Silva), she goes under Sharky's protection.
As you can imagine, feelings develop and what we are given is an action packed climax that leads to one of the single greatest stunts ever put onto film. This is a gritty Burt drama that leaves you wanting more of the same after the credits roll. Luckily this was one of a multi-picture deal that Reynolds signed with Orion pictures, with a few more films throughout the 1980's that would be considered a return to form. This comes highly recommended from me. With great shots of early 80's Atlanta, and a top notch score put together by quality musicians, such as "The Tonight Show's" Doc Severinsen, "Sharky's Machine" will keep you glued to your seat, and reaching for the tape again and again after your first viewing.
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