Freebie and the Bean

1974

Freebie and the Bean

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

25%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 12

65%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,438
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Freebie and the Bean Photos

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Movie Info

Freebie (James Caan) and the Bean (Alan Arkin) are a pair of San Francisco cops. Red Meyers (Jack Kruschen) is the mobster whom Freebie and the Bean would like to see behind bars -- or, failing that, six feet under. Nothing stands in the way of the cops' pursuit of Meyers, meaning that private property is given quite a going-over in this picture. The film's most memorable scene finds Freebie and the Bean crashing their car into a poor schnook's living room. TV favorites Loretta Swit and Valerie Harper play the only female roles worth mentioning. The racist and sexist humor in Freebie and the Bean may not go over as well today as it did in the politically incorrect early '70s.

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Cast

Alan Arkin
as Bean
James Caan
as Freebie
Loretta Swit
as Meyers' Wife
Jack Kruschen
as Red Meyers
Mike Kellin
as Lt. Rosen
Linda Marsh
as Freebie's Girl
Paul Koslo
as Whitey
John Garwood
as Chauffeur
Alex Rocco
as District Attorney
Robert H. Harris
as Michigan Phil
Valerie Harper
as Bean's Wife
Whitey Hughes
as Broder
Christopher Morley
as Transvestite
Marvin Walters
as Policeman
Frank Orsatti
as Laundry Truck Driver
Ted Duncan
as Chicken Truck Driver
Gary Johnson
as Liquor Truck Driver
Kathryn Witt
as Whitey's Girl
Jerry Walter
as Salesman
Thomas Huff
as Bellboy
John Powers
as Dentist
Gary Kent
as Ambulance Attendant
Eddy Donno
as Bag Man
Maurice Argent
as Tailor
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Critic Reviews for Freebie and the Bean

All Critics (12) | Top Critics (4)

  • Freebie (James Caan) is a cop whose corruption is supposed to be charming.

    May 17, 2013 | Full Review…

    Richard Schickel

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • Richard Rush's tasteless film, from a spitball script by Robert Kaufman, utilized lots of stunt and action crews disturbing the peace all over San Francisco.

    Oct 18, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • On the whole, a film one can live without.

    Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • It has a cast of otherwise good actors doing bits of business (sometimes called acting) as if they thought they could upstage all of the movie's automobiles, which are seldom still.

    May 9, 2005 | Rating: 1.5/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • ...boasts a pervasively irreverent sensibility that's reflected most keenly in the behavior of its two protagonists...

    Aug 12, 2019 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    David Nusair

    Reel Film Reviews

  • One of those obnoxious wisecracking buddy cop movies about dimwit cops that fails to be funny.

    Jul 7, 2017 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Dennis Schwartz

    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (12)

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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Freebie and the Bean Quotes

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