I love the 1970s. That era has been a cinematic high point for me for as long as I can remember. I especially like the aesthetic associated with that time. Most ’70s films are earth tones, reflecting the trend toward natural lighting, a change that was due to Technicolor fatigue. Almost all productions from that era are easily identifiable based on lighting techniques alone. I also appreciate that there was less interference from studios in the ’70s and filmmakers had much more freedom. Plus, Wall Street was still decades away from entering the industry and favoring safe, intellectual property-based ideas over unbridled creativity.
In my quest to consume as much of this decade’s film production as possible, I came across an overlooked gem that I can’t wait to tell you all about. More specifically, I’m talking about Daryl Duke and Curtis Hanson’s crime thriller The silent partner. This 1978 release is a fast-paced affair with a charismatic protagonist, an intricate narrative, and a dose of dry wit.
The silent partner follows Miles Cullen (Elliott Gould), an unassuming bank clerk who discovers evidence of a botched robbery in the bank where he works. Miles isn’t sure what to make of the discovery at first. But as he starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together, he finds a way to join in on the next attempt and pocket some of the ill-gotten gains. The scam initially goes smoothly. But Miles finds himself in great danger when the thief realizes he has been cheated out of a significant amount of change.
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Miles is a fascinating character with a compelling development. At the beginning of this crime thriller, he is humble and unremarkable. The most exciting thing about him is that he collects exotic fish. Miles is so harmless, in fact, that his whoring boss asks him to keep his affair company while he shows off on the home front. Although he initially lacks the charisma expected of a leading man, Miles undergoes tremendous personal development over the course of the film.
Elliott Gould proves to be a smart choice to play a character as dynamic as Miles. A handsome man in his youth, Gould possessed (and still possesses) a certain versatility. He is a great choice to play a character who is often underestimated. Gould handles the transition from mild-mannered cashier to secret criminal flawlessly, giving us reason to believe that the person he becomes has always been inside him, but lay hidden until awakened by what may be the perfect crime.
It’s fun to see Miles come out of his shell and find himself. While the filmmakers aren’t trying to tell us that we should commit crimes for fun, it does make an interesting argument for why playing it safe isn’t always the best option. Sometimes we miss out on something in life, so it’s important to take risks under the right circumstances.
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In addition to a convincing leading actor with a fascinating character development, The silent partner is also notable for taking the narrative in a series of unexpected twists and turns. Screenwriters Curtis Hanson (who co-directs) and Anders Bodelsen deliver a number of smart subversions of expectations that prevent the proceedings from becoming stale or predictable. There are double-dealings and switches of allegiance that are likely to keep you on your toes and hooked the entire time. There’s a consistent “who’s pulling who in here” dynamic.
Aside from subverting expectations, this overlooked thriller also has a sly sense of humor. The comedy isn’t the laugh-out-loud variety, but it’s plenty funny nonetheless. The newest employee at the bank Miles works at turns up in a variety of t-shirts that take banking terminology out of context to give the jargon a sexually suggestive connotation. One of her more memorable tops reads “Early Withdrawal Penalty.” This dry wit is also evident in the dialogue and exchanges between characters. Miles has some great one-liners throughout that elicit a giggle, but the subtle nature of the humor ensures that the underlying tension isn’t interrupted by the occasional comical remark.
The silent partner is a memorable Elliott Gould piece of work that takes viewers on a fast-paced journey with plenty of twists and turns. If you haven’t experienced this film for yourself, I highly encourage you to check out this 1978 thriller. If you’re dying to watch the film, you can watch it for free on Kanopy as of the publication of this post. The service is available to almost anyone with a library card or college ID.
Category: Editorial
