Shamus (1972)

Synopsis: Mustachioed former football player mugs his way through by-the-numbers gumshoe picture.

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “Burt has never been cooler or sexier than when he’s paired with Dyan Cannon in this lusty, bawdy adventure.”

What Did I Learn?: Attractive women will easily sleep with strange men as long as they’re provided with a cheesy pickup line.

You Might Like This Movie If: You enjoy this fuzzball’s early work (nope, not Burt Reynolds)

Really?: 1) Why does Burt keep turning down free gourmet dinners? Doesn’t he ever eat? 2) I guess he also doesn’t need that ten grand.

Rating: Burt Reynolds is at his best as he wisecracks through Shamus, but his character is a bit of a jerk who repeatedly strongarms lowlife dirtbags and yells at nearly everyone. My biggest complaint would be the un-creative and repetitive actions scenes: why does Burt keep jumping from high perches, and why couldn’t Barry Beckerman have figured out a different way for Burt to overpower the thugs than to hide and then spring out from the shadows? Once or twice is cool, but Burt’s modus operandi gets old, fast. Even at 95 minutes, Shamus feels too long. 6.5/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070680/