Fuzz (1972)

14% of users liked it
(167 ratings)

Fuzz treads the line between raucous comedy and gut-churning melodrama. Based on an "87th Precinct" novel by Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter), the film stars Burt Reynolds and Jack Weston as, respectively, detectives Steve Carella and Meyer Meyer. Their current assignment is to bring in Deaf Man (Yul… More Fuzz treads the line between raucous comedy and gut-churning melodrama. Based on an "87th Precinct" novel by Ed McBain (aka Evan Hunter), the film stars Burt Reynolds and Jack Weston as, respectively, detectives Steve Carella and Meyer Meyer. Their current assignment is to bring in Deaf Man (Yul Brynner), a mad bomber who has been targeting politicians. A subplot concerning a couple of punks who get their kicks by setting fire to sleeping winos is dramatically justified by the main storyline, but it was this element that caused a lot of trouble for the producers of Fuzz when a pair of real-life teenagers decided to imitate the film. On a lighter note, Raquel Welch co-stars as Detective Eileen McHenry, who is obliged to go undercover -- and under covers -- with fellow officer Bert Kling (Tom Skerritt). And as a bonus, viewers are treated to Burt Reynolds' first "drag" scene. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Richard A. Colla
Genres: Action & Adventure, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 14, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Feb 6, 2001
Studio: MGM

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Ok, so Fuzz definitely won't win any awards for originality or even pushing the envelope, but it doesn't need to. It's one of the most enjoyable cop dramedies that Robert Altman never made. It really does feel Altmanesque to me at times (if there is such a thing). The… More
Ok, so Fuzz definitely won't win any awards for originality or even pushing the envelope, but it doesn't need to. It's one of the most enjoyable cop dramedies that Robert Altman never made. It really does feel Altmanesque to me at times (if there is such a thing). The word is that its two main stars, Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch, didn't get along so well during the filming. That may or may not be true, but I know that they don't really share any scenes together at all, so I couldn't see it as being a major problem. Apparently, the film is based on a series of novels by Ed McBain. There were some changes, as always, including giving the city an official place and setting, as well as pushing it into more comedic territory. It's tone is definitely not consistent, and it doesn't really succeed at any tone it's trying to settle on at the time, but it winds up being fun anyways. That's a pretty tough thing for a dramedy. Yeah it works, but the wheels do squeak a bit.

Cast

            Burt Reynolds as Detective Steve Carella

            Jack Weston as Detective Meyer Meyer

            Tom Skerritt as Detective Bert Kling

            Yul Brynner as El Sordo

            Raquel Welch as Detective Eileen McHenry

            James McEachin as Detective Arthur Brown

            Neile Adams as Teddy Carella

            Roy Applegate as Patrolman Cramer

            Martine Bartlett as Sadie

            Larry Barton as Bald Man

            Cal Bellini as Ahmad

            Mia Bendixsen as Little Girl

            Peter Brocco as Man with Garbage

            Norman Burton as Police Commissioner

            Dominic Chianese as Panhandler

            Gino Conforti as Painter

            Cay Forester as Mrs. Scanlon

            Dan Frazer as Lt. Byrnes

            David Fresco as John Vicenzo

            Russ Grieve as Deputy Mayor

            Gerald Hiken as Painter

            Steve Ihnat as Detective Andy Parker

            Tom Lawrence as Patrolman Crosby

            Britt Leach as Detective

            Athena Lorde as Mrs. Jefferson

            William Martel as Mayor's Bodyguard

            Gary Morgan as Jimmy

            Stewart Moss as Detective Hal Willis

            Harold Oblong as Detective

            Jack Perkins as Parks Commissioner

            Albert Popwell as Lewis

            Bert Remsen as Sgt. Murchison

            George Reynolds as Tiny

            Richard Stahl as Vagrant

            Bunny Summers as Mrs. Cooper

            Felipe Turich as Puerto Rican Prisoner

            Charles Tyner as Pete Schroeder

            James Victor as Patrolman Gomez

            Peter Bonerz as Buck

            Brian Doyle-Murray as Detective

            Don Gordon as Anthony La Bresca

            Robert Jaffe as Alan Parry

            Charles Martin Smith as Baby

            Roy Morton as Rapist

            Vince Howard as Patrolman Marshall

            J.S. Johnson as Telephone Technician

            Neile McQueen as Teddy Carella

            Vincent VanLynn as Henry Jefferson

            Charlie Picerni as Chauffeur

            Tamara as Rochelle
See full cast

Fuzz (1972)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Cast