Movie spotlight
Mr. Ricco
Accused murderer Frankie Steele walks free, thanks to the efforts of San Francisco defense lawyer Joe Ricco. Then a pair of cop killings strikes the city. All signs point to the newly released Steele as the perpetrator. Has Ricco sprung a killer? Dean Martin keeps his affable ease but abandons his hipster Matt Helm-series swagger to portray Ricco in his final leading-role film, a whodunit mystery set in the city that also was the gritty center of action for the era’s Bullitt and Dirty Harry. Convinced that Steele isn’t behind the murders, Ricco launches an inquiry and runs up against a police lieutenant assigned to birddog him, evidence planted by a racist cop and several assassination attempts on Ricco himself. As the mystery deepens, so does the danger. And behind it all is someone the attorney never suspected. The pre-Laverne & Shirley Cindy Williams plays Ricco’s office assistant.
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Plot Summary
A crusading defense attorney, Frank Ricco, takes on the powerful Mafia to defend a young Black man wrongly accused of murder. As Ricco digs deeper, he uncovers a vast conspiracy involving corrupt city officials and police officers, putting his own life in grave danger.
Critical Reception
Mr. Ricco was a modest attempt at a crime drama, attempting to blend legal thriller elements with a David vs. Goliath narrative. While Dean Martin's performance was noted, the film struggled to gain significant traction with critics or audiences, often overshadowed by more prominent crime films of the era.
What Reviewers Say
Dean Martin delivers a more dramatic performance than usual.
The film attempts a serious crime drama but doesn't quite reach its ambitious goals.
A somewhat predictable plot with a familiar narrative of an underdog fighting corruption.
Google audience: Audience reception data for Mr. Ricco is not readily available, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes.
Fun Fact
Despite being known for his comedic and musical roles, Dean Martin took on the titular dramatic role in Mr. Ricco, showcasing a different facet of his acting capabilities.
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