Charlie the Ox (2004) User Reviews

Double-crossings require you to think fast

[bigblackfilms · 9/10 · 19 March 2005]

I must attend nearly two dozen festivals each year, and see close to 150 independent films, and this movie isn't the typical flick that gets programmed at fests. So, pleasantly, I was caught off guard by it. In spite of its slower pacing, it really charms the viewer into accepting its people and its premise. I expected this to be a non-stop action/suspense film with twists and turns at every corner. What I experienced was a plodding, insightful drama about a man torn between what he was dreams of doing and what he was knows is wrong.

Though the film does in fact have twists, I could have dealt with less characters and their motivations, even though I was down with the tempo of the picture. Not to say I have a limited attention span or that I don't like to be challenged while I watch films - on the contrary, I love the chance to think - but a little exposition goes a long way and this film has a little too much. More action was needed to fill the screen time with less talk. I suppose some of the limitations were based on their B-budget, in which case I applaud them for reaching out (and attaining) a more meaningful drama. This is one of those crime stories where the conscience weighs down the thief more than the stolen goods do.

Generally, the performances were stellar. They could have cut the clues down and gotten to the real double-crosser without creating false suspicions and I would have been just as entertained. Instead, I was constantly wondering who would be the turncoat and that can get annoying. The writing is sharp and the language is fun to hear. One fault of this film is the background noise throughout. It really made it difficult to understand what the actors were saying sometimes, so for those out there who are interested in seeing this, I suggest you wait for the DVD and watch it with subtitles on.

Overall, a good film, with a few more touches it could have been great.

9/10 rating.

-George Blackburn

Superb casting - recommended

[garamendi14 · 9/10 · 13 March 2005]

Everyone is excellent in this non-stop indie. McAbee plays it taunt as a sketchy burglar, who strings along a C-list of incompetents to exact his revenge plot. Every actor is almost pitch perfect for the parts they play and the movie was very enjoyable overall. Newcomer Kane is suitably menacing as Stempel, and in my mind, this is as much his movie as McAbee's. Mr. Polito has to be one of my favorite actors working today, and his small scenes are laced with a slow leaking tension that literally comes around later in the film when a tea kettle starts its long wail. Throughout, there's a cloud of impending doom - sometimes it's real suspense, other times it's more like melancholy. But this festival film has to be one of the best 'don't tread on me' type movies in the last few years. Strong performances. Big laughs. Great quotable lines. Real moments of suspense. Some foul language. But HIGHLY recommended.

My Grade: A

Where I saw it: Cinequest

Rather surprised by this little film...

[filmthumper · 9/10 · 7 May 2005]

Saw this in the Village on closing day of the NY Independent Festival, and walking out of the theater I had to remark to a friend how surprisingly accomplished it was for a no-budget, no-name genre entry. The caper dashes quickly along and the lines are often stinging - it gave me the feeling of an older B movie, the kind you used to see on late-night TV. Polito isn't in the film nearly enough, but the few sparkling moments are perhaps his brightest since Miller's Crossing. The lead actor Cory McAbee is oddly interesting and pulls the plot along through a strange magnetism - not a pretty face, but one worth watching. There are blemishes here and there, but considering the dearth of indie "films" out there, taken soooo seriously, this sleeper is the one that deserves a look. How far this film goes is hard to say, but if it appears on DVD its likely to please a few filmlovers who stumble upon it, because it really hearkens back to days when filmmakers took care to craft a story well.

not impressed

[jcole2 · 3/10 · 10 March 2005]

Caught this at Cinequest. It was well attended, but the crowd seemed disappointed. In my humble opinion, "Charlie the Ox" was very amateurish and overrated (it pales in comparison with other cinequest pics I saw). Acting (with the exception of Polito) seemed self-conscious and "stagey." Photography, despite originating on high-end HD, looked like home video... very stiff and undramatic. Score was repetitive. There were basic sound editing errors, such as background noise that changed noticeably with each edit. Most importantly the script was unfocused, repetitive, and limp.... I hate to ask the tired old question, but "why should we care?" I applaud the effort involved in any project like this, but it played much more like a community project put together by hobbyists, than a legit movie.

Hard to swallow!

[jaredboughman · 11 March 2005]

Here's what all the hype boils down to: "Ox" is about as unbelievable as it is far-fetched. For starters, the success of the whole operation hinges on McAbee who plays Charlie with a lame accent or something that's like he's imitating Clint Eastwood, and the head of the mob is a total goon who is thoroughly unbelievable as a threatening gangster, and Polito plays an actor/drunk who is primarily hired to ensure that Charlie doesn't screw things up. He's good in his role, but that not saying much 'cause he's always good and he doesn't have much to do here.

Along the way, plenty of bit players and ridiculous side stories slow up the progression of the plot, and throughout the film we are constantly annoyed by face-off conversations between Charlie and the crime boss. It's that old thing of "let's get together and make an indie film that substitutes clever chit chat for any real action 'cause we can't afford a big expensive sequence." Well, I could go on, but what's the point.

Save your money for a heist film that can afford some special effects, not one that used all of its resources for a lot of talk. 6/10

Competent caper/heist film, nice acting and lines, but unfocused third act.

[roger-212 · 6/10 · 22 September 2004]

A nice and competent caper film about a slightly dim-witted (or is he?) safe cracker named Charlie, who finds himself involved in a big heist, that has more twists than he realizes...

But then he turns the tables on the mob guys hanging him out to dry. This is a fairly standard and credible heist film, shot on 24f DV, it looks like (looks good), with very nice performances by the leads (especially Jon Polito, who has only 7 or 8 minutes of screen time) and the supporting cast of thugs, gangsters, and ne'er-do-wells.

Cory McAbee also convinces as the lead character. Somewhere in the middle the film does seems to lose its way a bit, not sure whether it's a heist film, a character study, or just a meditation on genre films of its ilk (Charley Varrick and Badlanders are name-checked). These are not bad things, by the way.

The series of double-crosses towards the end aren't very well set-up or telegraphed. They just "happen." The surprises on the audience are more due to the filmmakers withholding information than actually being smart, or deliciously misleading. The characters do things not entirely legit for the previously set-up before. It's sorta like cheating. Many of the moments could have been played for more emotional or intellectual pay-off, too. The truck-switch near the end doesn't hit the way it should.

But still, some great hard-boiled dialogue, tone, and some lines are destined to be quoted for years, if this gets a wide-enough release. "Congratulations, you made it to the big time. That knife in your back is your proof of purchase!" A pleasant addition to the canon.

Polito is perfect...

[pgeorgefan · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

I saw this one at a festival and loved it, particularly because of Jon Polito's performance which in my opinion is Oscar-worthy for a Best Supporting role. No other actor works as hard to steal scenes in a movie! All you have to do is rent any Coen Brothers movie to know that. From the minute he appears in "Charlie the Ox" he is mesmerizing and the audience I saw it with responded immediately at the moment he came on the screen. Somebody said he is the only person who could have pulled off that part and I have to agree. After the festival screening, the director told stories about working with him and said Polito was a consummate professional who showed up extremely well-prepared and was in charge from the second the cameras rolled. If you like any of his other work, you'll probably love this one. Don't miss it!

Indie safecracker film has the right combination

[biggs6 · 10/10 · 23 September 2004]

Smart script and great acting make this modest caper a watchable entry in the genre. Low-budget production doesn't really hurt the story; there is very little sex or violence, but strong characterizations and a tinge of urbane humor makes up for the scant action and lack of explosions or stunts. Film picks up steam upon the appearance of Polito, and rolls on to a swift conclusion. Highlights are the tight editing, superb writing, strong performances. Introduction of supporting players are handled well, particularly the first scene with the young girl. Memorable moments include Polito's soliloquy and a clever scene with a dog. (Rating: 9.5)

Marvelous caper that deserves repeated viewings.

[cinecarl · 10/10 · 8 October 2004]

This may be the most impressive film I saw at Telluride. While most of the other festival-goers were busy rifling through their programs looking for the latest celebrity appearance, this little movie snuck up on everyone else. Due to its adherence to genre, it's likely to be under-appreciated by the casual viewer, but there is a distinct knowingness that elevates this film beyond the typical festival fare.

Right from the beginning, with the lengthy single shot that pulls back and brings us into the story, it's clear that atmosphere and tone will play a big part of the telling. Charlie sits holding a hand of cards among a grubby circle of poker players -IN AN EMPTY PUBLIC RESTROOM! The movie is filled with these surprises. It takes a few moments to realize these nuances because this film isn't hitting you over the head with every detail, or slowing down for sweeping panoramas. In fact, it's a bit claustrophobic really. I was also pleasantly surprised that the technical parts of the film were so aptly constructed. There's hardly a cut-away to a close-up in the entire film, none of those awkward moments at the ends of a scene, just straightforward cuts to the next dramatic point and this keeps the tempo brisk and assured.

It's not strictly a thriller, a film noir, a comedy, or a heist film per se. The title character is a safe cracker who doesn't have his heart into the job -or seems to struggle with the moral issues in his line of work- and prefers to keep a hands off approach to stealing. He's scolded for this by his mentor, an elderly blind man who used to crack safes and now has turned over the business to Charlie.

Frankly, it seems that everyone knows what Charlie does and that he isn't very good at it. So by this standard, the lead isn't really a typical hero and the movie isn't really a grist-of-the-mill crime caper. But it is a riveting good time.

What was really an amazing achievement is that the events and characters really suck you into the story until you forget you're watching a bunch of new faces. I hadn't seen any of these actors before, and it never occurred to me that they were all making their debut. You just couldn't tell, they were so confident and believable.

Being an avid film buff, and wanting to see this film again right away, I was disappointed that I was at a festival and would have to wait to catch it in the theaters or on video. By no means is it the kind of film that can be completely soaked in by a single viewing, and in my opinion, this is one of the tests of a great film. There's just so much going on in the way the camera angles restrict the viewing of certain characters, and the repetition of key phrases, that makes we wish I could pause and rewind to see everything again. It amazed me that the tempo and the image clarity was so professional and that the final line is one of the most graceful notes I have ever seen a movie go out on. 5 stars out of 5.

Thinking man's caper

[hymerrin · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

Better pay attention when watching this one. Not your average dull little crime drama; it's got a clever way of setting up seemingly expected situations and then throwing you a curve or two. I won't give away the twists and turns, but let's just say there are plenty of them. This movie reminded me of the great payback thrillers of the 70s, like Point Black and Charley Varrick, because it is so character-driven. There's a cat-and-mouse contest going on between the main baddie (played by a thoroughly convincing actor I've never seen before) and the title character. Solid acting all around, a sly cameo by Polito, nice touches of dialogue, some technical aspects of safecracking, femme fatales, and little hints that all culminate to make the second half of the movie truly pay off. Without ruining the ending, I'll only say that it was both satisfying and perfectly fitting to Charlie's nature. You can try to guess ahead all you want in this film and you still don't see the surprises coming. Why doesn't Hollywood make smart movies like this anymore?!

my kind of movie...

[knuckles_509 · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

this is one of those times when I can recommend a movie without hesitation, because I saw it with a full house and was busting up the whole way through. The main guy Charlie is this patient safecracker who just waits for a perfect opportunity and then strikes when the iron is hot. He's played by Cory McAbee, who was in The American Astronaut, but this time plays his part is a guy who you think is stupid but turns out not to be stupid at all. He's just observing things and scoping out the best possible scenario before making his move. There's some cool scenes which I shouldn't spoil for you, but I will say that the music is cool and there are tons of funny lines in it, and oh yeah, the black chick is unbelievably H-O-T - definitely both thumbs for this one.

Excellent writing, clever plot.

[MIGBARKER · 10/10 · 21 September 2004]

One of my favorite genres is the caper film, and while I wouldn't categorize this one as a strict comedy (because there is so much suspense in it), there's a unique tone to it that can best be classified as dark humor. The script is so well structured and the story is tightly crafted. Each of the players in this story has their light bulb on, and that makes for a fun ride, watching everyone move and counter-move to avoid getting scammed. I got caught off-guard by the opening con (when Polito enters the film) and had to run earlier scenes through my mind again to catch up quickly. But that's when the movie got really interesting for me. Someone should consider tapping McAbee for bigger, better roles, because he is so consistently natural and believable in this part. I wish they would make a follow-up to this little gem, because the character of Charlie the Ox is so engaging that days later I found myself wanting to know what became of him.

Romance among thieves!

[jtilcomb · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

This is a quaint little comedy and a poetic film for its kind. No real belly laughs, but light and humorous and entertaining and sweet throughout with plenty of interesting relationships between the characters. McAbee plays the main role like he has over- medicated himself, because he's drifting along in his own fantasy and surrounded by a bizarre group of supporting players. This is a much more engaging role than his last effort, American Astronaut. Here, he is truly a complex and conflicted crook, unable to conduct himself with any real larceny, so he seeks to outfox his foes with deserved trickery. While he never gets enough time to fall in love with a beautiful waitress named Teesha (Jahnika Blythe) they do have a unique courtship ritual that culminates in an unusual bond. The most hilarious part of the movie is when they meet. It was the point in the movie when I realized I was in a theater; if I was home, I probably would have been tempted to rewind my DVD player and watch it again a few times. And that is the overall tone of this piece - romantic and bittersweet.

Not like most films you see nowadays

[mariosmovies · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

I feel like this film really spoke to me on several levels because of the loner Charlie and his outcast ways which are the result of his dedication and commitment. Most movies spend so much time telling you how great the heroes are and presenting them in unrealistic ways. But this film was directed from a very simple standpoint: if the character has made these choices for his whole life, why would he change now? Definitely, the plot was mapped out carefully and it's followed to the end without any deviation, and plus the ending neatly wraps things up without leaving you feeling like they cut any corners. Instead, you feel relieved that things worked out, but also kind of sad for Charlie because he suffered for his dedication. Every now and then, a director will make a picture from a purely personal viewpoint, and you can tell how heartfelt it is. This is one of those timeless and coherent pieces of storytelling that is more about the value of your own self-worth then it is about winning. I will not forget this movie for a long time.

Surprisingly funny film for a crime thriller.

[pvdrkhang · 10/10 · 7 March 2005]

This film, the director's first, was one of the best I've ever seen at a festival (it was the opening night feature at Cinequest), if not the best indie caper of the last ten years. A huge part of the credit has to go to the outstanding cast. McAbee certainly holds his own as the title criminal. Polito is an old pro at this type of thing; he had the distinction of being an actor who's playing a guy with a washed up career at the same time he was accepting an award for his longevity and success. But they can't claim sole credit for the humor, because the rest of the crooks steal the laughs as the plot gets rolling. In fact, the whole script that Smith wrote gives each part a chance to develop until every character begin to crack out a cool line laced with irony or dread. Both the villains and the innocents are ideally cast. Only in a few scenes does the pace slow up, but Smith never lets things go stale before he livens up the proceedings with a perfect monologue or a well-devised twist. There's an awful lot of holes in the logic of this silly caper, but it moves with such assuredness and keeps the cleverness rooted in the characters so that it never feels ridiculous. Probably the perfect movie rental for a film noir enthusiast looking for something a speck lighter.

A Funny Revenge Movie?

[cjreardon9 · 10/10 · 9 March 2005]

Sounds hard to believe, but this movie works as both a comedy and a suspense caper. Thanks to the director's concentration on the main character "Charlie," the plot never strays too far from providing sharp insights into his obsession with safecracking and the enormous fun of watching all the cards tumble around him. Near the beginning he is appropriately clueless, but once Charlie gets angry, the movie kicks into revenge mode and slips along to a fast and satisfying conclusion. Over and over again, Charlie demonstrates a cleverness that reveals he's got more character than most movie criminals. And ultimately, he gathers a rag-tag team of losers, along with some useless household items, to construct a self-defeating but very funny revenge.

One small drawback...

[suesssam · 10/10 · 24 September 2004]

I saw this film at the first showing. I can certainly appreciate the story of a man who becomes increasingly desperate to prove himself - to his friends and his peers. The one flaw I felt the movie had was that it focused too much on Charlie's frustration and wasn't much on the action set pieces.

Charlie's "principles" are evident early on and were hardly convincing given his previous desire to steal money for a poker game. Maybe this is the point, that he was a fellow that acts like he never had principles, but then it turns out that it is really just a ploy. But that seems fairly clear from the beginning.

Overall, I agree with other reviewers that the acting and production values are top-notch, but I wanted more big action sequences. I guess as a low-budget filmmaker, the director was shooting for something more modest, but after all it is a crime movie not a character study.

Solid script at the helm

[greenanjoe · 10/10 · 27 September 2004]

What the film lacks in action, it makes up for by sure-footed writing and acting. This was a tricky film to make, lots of characters and sets, but the confidence in it is impressive. I was ambivalent about whether or not the caper aspect could impress me- recently the theaters have been bombarded by these kinds of films -without any special effects to draw the viewer in or entertain. However, for the movie-goer willing to give in to what the story has to offer, it doesn't disappointment. Add a musical score that reaches for the John Barry touch, and it's not a bad show. It's not a slick blockbuster by any means (behind the fancy wordplay, some actors don't have much to do here), but I wouldn't dismiss it either. It's an ambitious debut from Smith, the kind of film that's best suited for an afternoon on the couch, but he calls himself out as a writer/director who may have a good career ahead. (strong) B+

Get in line for this one, it's worth the wait

[amie_schallenberger · 10/10 · 9 March 2005]

The enormous success of this film at both Telluride and Cinequest goes to show how irrelevant artiness is even to a film festival audience - if ever there was a movie which sold tickets entirely on the likable personalities of its cast, this is it. People would prefer to line up around the block for hours to get a glimpse of Jon Polito smirking through a cameo role than be caught dead in a boring foreign film. There, I said it. And Cory McAbee has been steadily building a following since his Ketchup and Mustard Man days, only to prove he has leading man chops. That said, this film is not perfect, but no one would believe it was made on a shoestring budget either. The editing, dialog, acting, and the script are all pretty much top notch. For a digital film, this is a high water mark in cinematography and the music deserves to be published on a soundtrack somewhere. I love the following scenes: The first Freddy Boon appearance, the bar fight, the "Tick Tock" exchange, the dog scene, "What if they torture me?" and of course the window shot at the end. I can watch this film over and over. Not only is the whole structure clever, but the ending is powerful. What can I say 9/10.

Unusually good

[tmgolick · 13 May 2005]

I had seen this film at Telluride, but since it was playing in my neighborhood during the Tribeca Film Festival, I took a friend out of curiosity to see if he responded to it as well as I did and also to see if the filmmakers had made any changes to the cut (they hadn't).

As I suspected, my friend was impressed with the thoughtfulness and intricacy of the story and urged me to post my reflections online for others to be encouraged by this modest achievement. I can see that there are others who have already articulated their thoughts here, but since I have committed to making a contribution, I will add my own comments.

If I had to sum this movie up in one word it would be atmospheric (I use this in the traditional sense of the word; not to create an atmosphere, but to give a sense of one that is not actually there.) Always in this film there is a presence of desire and frustration, not only in the eyes of the main actor, but among the words and actions of his closest friends. Even some of the villains seem to possess this desperation, and that also helps to create the atmosphere. Here are some of the other qualities that make "Charlie the Ox" atmospheric to me:

This movie is thoughtfully organized.

Every character is developed.

Every moment advanced the narrative.

The actors were all convincing.

The direction was interesting.

The backgrounds were fitting.

The storyline was complicated but involving.

There is nothing bad I can say about this movie. Anybody who is thinking about watching this film, or is about to go to the video store and rent something to watch, or has never watched an independent movie before should do themselves a favor and watch this film. I urge all you cynics to give this film a go. Take my word for it, you will not be disappointed.

A bloody shame that some folks just won't get it

[jeromebett · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

No spoilers here, but clearly this is a script working on two planes and much of the filmgoing public can't handle anything so sneaky and understated. THE DIRECTOR MUST BE LAUGHING OUT LOUD AT THESE STRAIGHTFORWARD REACTIONS TO THE MOVIE. He even alludes to these intentions in the dialogue. Material like this seldom gets its due because it flies in the face on convention, and well above the heads of those looking for overt explanations. What appears to be a typical bungling revenge caper is clearly meant as a metaphor (for what depends on the viewers). I applaud the filmmakers, but really their battle is uphill with storyline that seems so slight on the surface but strives for a more lasting impression. Best of luck

Packed with stylish criminals and plucky banter

[cinecarl · 10/10 · 28 October 2004]

Coming off "The American Astronaut," the time-travel space odyssey that first introduced festival audiences to his raw talent, Cory McAbee puts another

feather in his cap as an indie actor. But this time, it's not the swaggering side of his persona so often seen on stage or as rocketeer Samuel Curtis. Instead, he crafts a somewhat dimmer, shell-shocked anti-hero of the title character in this thread-bare, albeit ruminating, genre film. McAbee walks a tightrope between

sheepishly impotent and hopelessly lost-as a journeyman safe cracker who can't muster the courage to steal big until a bruised pride fuels his fires-and

convincingly delivers both comedy and genuine suspense mainly by sheer

characterization. McAbee truly holds the screen-he makes a simple revenge

tale plausible by seducing you into rooting for him. At the same time, a host of serio-comic supporting players are able enough to make you pray for their hasty demise. This sort of thing has been done before (literally thousands of times in such crime movies) but few films can boast a lead that compels viewers as well as McAbee. Otherwise, there's a handful of little things that generate lots of laughs, tension, and second-guessing, but the main attraction is the key

performance from the lead actor.

Plot is forgettable, but characters stay with you

[vzpoulsen · 10/10 · 9 March 2005]

The plot line of this quick-moving heist entry hearkens back to a time in cinema (the 70s, and films like namesake Charley Varrick) when a hero had to struggle to behave honorably in a world of amorality. As the Ox, Charlie expects to get only a share of the take from a bank heist, but when he is gypped out of his small portion, he has to put on his thinking cap and figure out a way to win the entire sum back. However, it's never very clear how Charlie knows so much about the banks and the bank robbers and we're not sure how far ahead he's thinking or how capable he is of such forethought. Overall, the movie is directed in such a way as to keep the audience guessing, which it does. But like the characters in the film, the director doesn't always play it straight with us. He hides many of the facts until it is too late to question their credibility. In the end, the movie feels complete, but not all that rewarding. However, there is much to appreciate in this digitally- produced feature; the beautifully shot movie demonstrates that instead of spending all of their time on technical wizardry, today's digital directors should spend more time on character development. For long after the lights go up, the memory of Charlie lingers in the mind.

Snappy snafu flick but with dark undertones

[wherefrankgoes · 11 May 2005]

Not everyone's cup of tea because this film has a mean streak running through it. A lot of the jokes and payoffs come at someone's expense and after 90 minutes of that it adds up to a sadness that's cast over the whole affair. But cleverness is the word of the day here (think of a Usual Suspects that makes a lot more sense at the end) and although the plot hinges on a threadbare revenge bent, it's still smarter and more playful than most independent films. Probably plays better in NYC than it would in the sticks. More should be said about the writer- director's eye for set-ups and ear for slippery one-liners. I caught his last film (a bizarre sci-fi experiment) and felt the same way about the visuals and offbeat banter then. Very dark stuff.

Black comedy/quirky crime thriller is the most underrated independent movies I have seen.

[gregorbear · 11 May 2005]

I have to agree that this is an underrated and very sorrowful movie. Behind the brain-teasing plot, the funny and sometimes brittle barbs, and the genuine suspenseful scenes, there is a sadness underlying it that makes it more than the usual thriller. Despite being witty, the actors stay deep in their depiction of the characters, specially the ill-fated relationship between the lovable losers Charlie (Cory McAbee) and the naive, trusting Teesha (Jahnika Blythe). There are several moments when the script reaches a climax and then suddenly interrupts it, but the screenwriter (here, it's first time director Scott Smith) always manages to bring it all back to the nature of the title thief. There are many minor details that those who appreciate smart films will find enjoyable too. Even the graffiti on the walls is extremely appropriate. I have only watched this movie once, and though I came away with a overwhelming sense of pity for Charlie, I was impressed that the story could have an emotional impact on me, so I say it's a keeper.