MovieChat Forums > Charley Varrick (1973) Discussion > SPOILER So don't read this if you haven...

SPOILER So don't read this if you haven't seen the film yet.

posted 21 years ago by BigJobMan
9 replies | jump to latest

Can anyone tell me why Molly killed Boyle?
Boyle had hired Molly to recover the money expecting "The same results as before". To my mind this makes Molly a mercenary. So, even if Charley's little ploy - hugging Boyle and a whoopin' and a hollerin' - convinced Molly that Boyle was implicated, Molly was loyal to nobody except the person who had hired him, not his company. He had nothing to do with the company.

If it's a boy do you think it will look like Rodney? It doesn't matter as long as it's healthy!

[–] DrasticMeasures74 21 years ago

I think Molly had begun to suspect Boyle after Boyle told him not to show up to the meeting with Varrick. Varrick's actions convinced Molly that Boyle was part of it.

[–] 21 years ago

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[–] 21 years ago

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[–] ecarle 18 years ago

Molly started his work on the "case" suspicious and skeptical about this bank job. He tells Honest John "I don't work with my head in a bag" and pushes his own theory that somebody -- likely the bank manager and Boyle himself -- were in on it. (Remember: it IS coincidental; Charley just happens to rob the bank when its got big money in it.)

So Honest John basically tells Molly if he can find out that somebody inside WAS in on it, "that information would be very valuable." Honest John also alerts Molly when Boyle turns up in New Mexico. And Molly IS suspicious when Boyle tells him: "He doesn't want you there."

The movie is thus well motivated about MOLLY being suspicious of Boyle.

From Charley's side: Charley Varrick knows he's dealing with highly suspicious guys who kill first, ask questions later; he's banking on two things: (1) his instructions that Boyle tell Molly to stay 500 yards away, which Boyle tells Molly, arousing his suspicions and (2) the (delightful) embrace of Boyle by Varrick ("We did it, we did it!") Could Charley be so sure that Molly would kill Boyle? No, but it was a good guess with some preparation.

Let's say Molly didn't kill Boyle. Then Molly and Boyle might likely join in the chase of Charley's plane and he could get them BOTH killed by the dynamite.

But you know, this is one of those movies where things are finessed so fast you're not really supposed to second guess.

[–] dg-7 18 years ago

Keep in mind that Molly wouldn't have ever been on Charley's trail, and we've talked about this being the weakest part of the film, had Charley not visited the fence and spilled the beans. Everything else is kind of a red herring.

[–] Tom_Cruises_Testicles 14 years ago

Keep in mind that Molly wouldn't have ever been on Charley's trail, and we've talked about this being the weakest part of the film, had Charley not visited the fence and spilled the beans. Everything else is kind of a red herring.

That's not the weakest part at all. I think you missed the point of the film. Charley intentionally puts the mafia on his trail. If he didn't they would be looking for him until they found him(which they would of through his reckless partner eventually). By intentionally sending Molly after himself, then faking his death and making it seem like the money burned up he is free from the mafia hunting him down and can go off with the rest of the money.

[–] rroach50 14 years ago

I think it's the weakest part of the film. It stretches credibility to its zenith when Charley intentionally puts the mafia on his trail but it was necessary for the plot.

[–] ecarle 14 years ago

I disagree. Charley visits the fence and the photographer for their necessary services, but ALSO KNOWING that this will draw the mob in, knowing that they will rat him out. Its high risk, but he knows the mob will be finding him eventually, anyway. Harmon's a chatty loose end, and a cop stopped Charley's "Last of the Independents" van near the explosion. Word will get out.

Charley improvises his plan to allow for Harmon to get killed, too(but then, Harmon was going to kill HIM), but it all works out as planned, with Varrick seemingly dead and his most dangerous foes(Molly and Boyle) REALLY dead.

Charley's a very smart, very brave guy.

P.S. The dynamite salesman doesn't let the bad guys in on Varrick's scheme, but unlike the fence and the photographer, his business is legit. Bit of a plot hole though: a DYNAMITE shop? Right there on main street? With deadly dynamite for sale. Siegel tries to cover it with a joke:

Dynamite salesman: If you don't mind, may I ask you what you'll be using that dynamite for?
Varrick: You most certainly may.

...and then Varrick walks out before answering.

[–] cinedude 14 years ago

SPOILERS KIDS!

When Charley realizes that it's most likely mafia money, he makes a point to Harman that the mob won't stop pursuing the culprits unless they think they are dead. It's clear to Charley that Harman is a fuvking idiot loose cannon when Harman says he will blow the the bucks however he likes and not wait 3 years for the dust to settle (and Charley, rather than confront him, simply says "You called it, kid"... which is then echoed when Charley walks into the trailer and finds him dead "you called it, kid" = not my fault). From the point Charley realizes he can't trust Harman, he serves his own interests; the plotting is all about his escape -- it's already been set up about the dentist and dental records... Charley throws the mob and anyone else off the scent by inviting them onto the trail. ...And even though it's a coincidence that the mob had so much money there, as Boyle points out to the bank manager they won't believe it and they are under suspicion; Charley is smart enough to know that and uses it to his advantage.