Freebie and the Bean

1974, Action, 1h 52m

24 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

A sour blend of misguided comedy and all-out action, Freebie and the Bean is a buddy cop picture that's far less than arresting entertainment. Read critic reviews

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Freebie and the Bean Photos

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Movie Info

Two wisecracking plain-clothes San Francisco policemen discover that there is a contract on the life of the suspect they have been tailing. The pair decide to act as bodyguards until they can get a warrant to pick him up, but plans for a clean arrest go spectacularly wrong, and the two cops manage to bring the city to a virtual standstill.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Action
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Richard Rush
  • Producer:
    Richard Rush
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:

Cast & Crew

Alan Arkin
Bean
James Caan
Freebie
Loretta Swit
Meyers' Wife
Jack Kruschen
Red Meyers
Mike Kellin
Lt. Rosen
Linda Marsh
Freebie's Girl
Paul Koslo
Whitey
John Garwood
Chauffeur
Alex Rocco
D.A.
Valerie Harper
Bean's Wife
Christopher Morley
Transvestite
Richard Rush
Director
Richard Rush
Producer
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Critic Reviews for Freebie and the Bean

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (13) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (19)
Full Review… Joe Pollack St. Louis Post-Dispatch Full Review… Charles Champlin Los Angeles Times Full Review… Elston Brooks Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Full Review… Perry Stewart Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com Full Review… Patrick McGilligan Boston Globe Full Review… Susan Stark Detroit Free Press Full Review… Drag Staff Drag Full Review… Jeanne Miller San Francisco Examiner Full Review… Dorothy Smiljanich Tampa Bay Times Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… Chris Laverty Clothes on Film
View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Freebie and the Bean

  • Feb 04, 2010
    I don't really know if Freebie and the Bean classifies as the first buddy cop film, but if it is, it's the best one I've ever seen. It's hard to believe that a comedy like this starring Alan Arkin and James Caan as a duo was ever made, but it was. The dialogue feels fresh and must have been adlibbed. The caper isn't much of a caper but that isn't really the point. The point is following these two lunatics around in their daily lives from one catastrophe to the next and enjoying every minute of it. The Warner Archive put this out not too long ago with a terrific picture but only the trailer as an extra. I hope this gets some special edition love sometime soon as it's a terrific little gem.
    Tim S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 10, 2007
    Thoroughly awesome, the first real buddy cop film is also one of the best. Totally ridiculous and full of shenanigans.
    Ken S Super Reviewer
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