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Orion Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Nobody leans on Sharky's Machine.
Police officer Tom Sharky gets busted back to working vice, where he happens upon a scandalous conspiracy involving a local politician. Sharky's new 'machine' gathers evidence while Sharky falls in love with a woman he has never met.
GenerationofSwine
Jan 12, 2023 · via TMDB
It was made in '81 and is actually a pretty solid police film. It's not great, it's not Chinatown, but it also is pretty far from horrible. The dialogue is absolutely fantastic, and even in the throw away moments, there is a humor that seems very human. It's Hollywood sharp and witty to the point where it's almost too good to be realistic, it's just, human. There are a lot of little throw away conversations that seem like the kind of thing you'd hear in your everyday life. And that adds a nice touch of realism to what is otherwise a cop film, and those are always pretty unrealistic. The sound track is a little dated, a little 70s Adult film in places, but that was just a trope of the era and even great films like Three Days of the Condor had that 70s had that "I expect John Holmes to walk in any minute now" kind of music... but then it also had the cliche 80s sex scene instrumentals. So it feels like the merging of two eras and, audioly, it can't really decide if it wants to be 70s or 80s. And then it has crooning that seems like it fits better in a Sean Connery era 007 film. I guess what I'm saying is that, if there is a flaw, it's the sound track. Essentially what it is though is a solid cop film that is bucking for 1970s gritty and realistic, but is still, ultimately, as over the top and unrealistic as most police thrillers. It's a very enjoyable film to watch.... despite the music.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Burt Reynolds
Tom Sharky
Rachel Ward
Domino
Henry Silva
Billy Score
Brian Keith
Papa
Vittorio Gassman
Victor Scorelli
Charles Durning
Lt. Friscoe
Earl Holliman
Donald Hotchkins
Bernie Casey
Arch
Richard Libertini
Nosh
Darryl Hickman
Smiley
Joseph Mascolo
Joe Tipps
Tony King
Kitten Holmes
John Fiedler
Barrett
Carol Locatell
Mabel
Suzee Pai
Siakwan
Val Avery
Manny
Hari Rhodes
—
James O'Connell
—
Tony King
—
Alveda King
—
William A. Fraker
Director of Photography
Buddy Joe Hooker
Stunts
David R. Ellis
Stunts
Burt Reynolds
Director
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Dec 18, 1981
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The Stranglers - Live '78, SF
1978
Saddle Leather Law
1944
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
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