Sure, there are a few great set pieces - the opening sting, the car wash scenes, the chase. But for the rest this was a literal yawner; watching it in late evening I could barely stay awake. The problem, I think, is that producer Philip D'Antoni decided to direct the movie himself. He should have fired himself and hired an experienced director. Apart from the set pieces, there is no energy or pacing in the film, just long dialog scenes that never seem to move. Compare this to "French Connection," produced by D'Antoni but directed by William Friedkin. That one had hardly a dull moment; you always felt that it was moving somewhere. With a little script work and a director of Friedkin's ability, I think this could have been a classic. As is, it's basically a curiosity.
Review of The Seven-Ups
