St. Ives (1976)

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Writers: Ross Thomas, Barry Beckerman

Composer: Lalo Schifrin

Starring: Charles Bronson, John Houseman, Jacqueline Bisset, Maximilian Schell, Harry Guardino, Harris Yulin, Dana Elcar, Michael Lerner, George Memmoli, Dick O'Neill, Elisha Cook Jr., Daniel J. Travanti, Jeff Goldblum, Robert Englund

More info: IMDb

Tagline: He's got a half-finished novel in his typewriter. $100,000 bucks in a bag. And everyone in town on his tail.

Plot: A crime novelist is hired by a shady character to negotiate the return of stolen confidential documents.

My rating: 6.5/10

Will I watch it again?  No.

#64 on Project: Badass Charles Bronson

BRONSON'S AGE: 55
LEVEL OF BADASSICITY (10 being the highest): 7

Now you know how much I digs me some Bronson but this is one picture where he's not quite a great fit for the role but he's still good.  Seeing him play this but not as a badass cop is a little weird.  It's also odd that no one, and I mean NO ONE, calls him by any other name than his last name, St. Ives, and that's bizarre to hear over and over.  That's probably the worst thing about this picture and it's far from a deal killer.  The movie is good but not great.  Bronson fans might be disappointed at how little action there is.  It's not one of those Bronson on the loose, offing mofos with his high calibre fists and arsenal of weapons but there's enough there to leave you wanting for more.  The cast alone makes it worth watching.  Even if you don't know the names you'll recognize a lot of faces. There's a scene where three hoods (appropriately named Hood #1, 2 and 3) try to dispense of Bronson.  One of them is played by Jeff Goldblum and another by Robert Englund.  Hood #2 is played by Mark Thomas who you might know as D.C. Reporter from THE HAPPY HOOKER GOES TO WASHINGTON (1977) and Agent with Red Hat from ROLLERCOASTER (1977).  I wouldn't mind having acting credits like that.  Director, and longtime friend and working partner with Bronson, J. Lee Thomson did a fine making this flick.  I liked it enough but not so much that I'll probably ever watch it again.  Bronson made many more entertaining pictures that deserve, no make that demand, re-views.