Freebie and the Bean is a 1974 action-comedy film set in San Francisco, California. The film follows two seasoned detectives, Freebie (James Caan) and Bean (Alan Arkin), who are tasked with dismantling an influential crime syndicate orchestrating high-profile hijackings. As they investigate, they encounter a ruthlessly efficient hitman whose mission is to eliminate any threat to the criminal target. The narrative involves navigating a shadowy underworld, uncovering hidden truths, and unravelling alliances to thwart the syndicate's plan before it is too late. The detectives face moral dilemmas and personal struggles that challenge their dedication to the cause, with the story culminating in an unpredictable finale.
The film is categorised under the sub-genres of police drama and is set in San Francisco, California. It was directed by Richard Rush and Ruby, with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. The original title is Freebie and the Bean, and the tagline states, "Above all... It's a love story." The film was released in 1974.
The plot is described as being less important than the comic skits that make the movie work. Freebie is depicted as a detective who considers the major part of his benefit package to be whatever he can walk away with, while Bean is portrayed as a plodding detective who worries that his wife is having an affair with the landscaper. Notable comedic scenes include Freebie and Bean crashing their car off an overpass and into the upper floor of an apartment building, Freebie giving Bean a fashion lesson about why buttons do not fall off expensive shirts, and Bean attempting to grill his wife to catch her in a lie about the suspected affair.
The film features a strong supporting cast, including Valerie Harper as Bean's wife, Loretta Swit as Meyers' Wife, Jack Kruschen as Red Meyers, Mike Kellin as Lt, Alex Rocco as the D.A., Paul Koslo as Whitey, and Linda Marsh as Freebie's Girl. The screenplay was written by Robert Kaufman, with the story by Floyd Mutrux.
It is noted that the film can be quite violent and features a transgendered character that some viewers may find offensive. The film is also described as politically incorrect, and potential viewers are advised that they may be offended if they are bothered by such content. Despite this, the film is recommended for its humour, with one viewer noting that a scene with Alex Rocco as the "D.A." was particularly funny. The film is considered a classic, and some viewers recommend watching it if it can be found.
There are no reviews for the film on the provided source. The film's budget and box office revenue are not listed. The original language is English.