Crime,Drama,Action,Thriller
United States of America
Sharky's Machine is a 1981 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by and starring Burt Reynolds. The movie is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by William Diehl.
The film follows the story of Tom Sharky, a hard-boiled Atlanta vice detective who is demoted from the narcotization squad to the prostitution division after a botched sting operation. Soon, Sharky discovers a political conspiracy involving a high-ranking Atlanta official and a group of ruthless thugs, the same group that is responsible for the murder of a call girl named Dominoe (Rachel Ward).
Sharky develops an ingenious plan to infiltrate the criminal organization by hiring a team of fellow officers, whom he calls his 'machine.' The team includes four colorful characters: Maurice (Charles Durning), a lovable con-man; Papa (Brian Keith), a veteran police officer; Archie (Earl Holliman), a forensic expert; and Nosh (Bernie Casey), a surveillance specialist.
Sharky and his team of 'machine' members gather evidence that implicates the corrupt politician, while at the same time, he falls in love with a mysterious woman named Dominoe, whom he has only seen in photos. Sharky discovers that Dominoe was working undercover for the FBI to bring down the political conspiracy. Unfortunately, her cover is blown, and she becomes the target of the criminal organization.
The film features an impressive cast, including actresses Rachel Ward, Vittorio Gassman, and Catherine Deneuve. The movie is a blend of action, drama, and romance with a classic film noir sensibility. Sharky's Machine has become a cult classic over the years and a defining film of Burt Reynolds' career.
