Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Mel Gibson | ... | Bret Maverick | |
Jodie Foster | ... | Annabelle Bransford | |
James Garner | ... | Marshal Zane Cooper | |
Graham Greene | ... | Joseph | |
Alfred Molina | ... | Angel | |
James Coburn | ... | Commodore Duvall | |
Dub Taylor | ... | Room Clerk | |
Geoffrey Lewis | ... | Matthew Wicker / Eugene, Banker | |
Paul L. Smith | ... | The Archduke | |
Dan Hedaya | ... | Twitchy, Riverboat Poker Player | |
Dennis Fimple | ... | Stuttering | |
Denver Pyle | ... | Old Gambler on Riverboat | |
Clint Black | ... | Sweet-Faced Gambler | |
Max Perlich | ... | Johnny Hardin | |
Art LaFleur | ... | Poker Player (as Art La Fleur) |
Maverick is recreated from the character James Garner created in the 1950s TV program. Maverick is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them. He needs an additional three thousand dollars in order to enter a Winner Take All poker game that begins in a few days. He tries to win some, tries to collect a few debts, and recover a little loot for the reward, all with a light hearted air. He joins forces with a woman gambler with a marvelous, though fake, southern accent as the two both try and enter the game. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
This is among Mel's best. It has absolutely everything you could want for a hit. Bert...I mean Bret...is a multi-dimensional character that changes from humorous to serious seamlessly. Jodie Foster is an excellent faux-Southern belle. And James Garner plays the veteran lawman to the T.
This movie has humor, but not gross-out humor. The tongue-in-cheek, James Bond/Lethal Weapon kind of humor. Like Miss Bransford looking in both of their tubs to "compare" the two, without ever saying anything. It has decent action and suspense, and the last 15 minutes has more plot turns that most mysteries.
This is one of my personal favorites, one I can watch over and over again. I believe this gets none of the credit it deserves. It seems to have a stigma because most movies based on TV shows (i.e. Beverly Hillbillies) well, suck.