Mr. Ricco (1975)

Mr. Ricco Poster

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.

Film Overview
"Mr. Ricco" is a 1975 crime drama movie directed by Paul Bogart and starring Dean Martin ahead function. The film follows Joe Ricco (played by Martin), an accomplished defense lawyer operating in San Francisco who is understood for his unconventional method to winning cases. After successfully protecting a black militant implicated of murder, Ricco finds himself embroiled in a deepening mystery that threatens his professional and individual life.

Story Plot
Joe Ricco, the epitome of a tough-talking defense lawyer, secures the acquittal of Frankie Steele (Thalmus Rasulala), a black militant implicated of murder. Soon after, however, Ricco finds that more murders are occurring, eerily similar to the one Steele was acquitted of. The killings seem to be linked to his client, raising suspicions against Steele. As the city teeters on racial unrest, Ricco is thrust into the spotlight, becoming the target of both public reject and mystical death threats.

Main Characters
Next To Ricco and Steele, there are other substantial characters including depth to the storyline. Cindy Ricco (Cindy Williams), Ricco's daughter, plays a critical character, torn between her daddy's actions and public backlash. She has a hard time to understand Ricco's dedication to his occupation in the middle of the societal tension. Detective George Cronyn (Eugene Roche) considerably adds to the stress, tirelessly working to reveal the reality behind the murders while continually clashing with Ricco.

Styles
"Mr. Ricco" grapples with major styles like social unrest, race relations, justice, and the moral responsibility of attorneys. It delves deep into the complexities of justice, the conflict in between law and principles, and highlights the battles of being a defense attorney when the general public sentiment is vociferously against your customer. The movie includes the dichotomy in between justice served on the streets and within the courtroom.

Secret Moments
A major pivotal moment arrives when Ricco himself becomes the target of an assassination effort. The plot thickens as Ricco attempts to survive, all the while trying to decipher the mystery behind these murders. The climactic last act exposes some shocking truths and twists that force Ricco to confront his beliefs about justice, re-assess his professional endeavors, and reevaluate his future.

Final Thoughts
In conclusion, "Mr. Ricco" is a captivating police procedural movie shedding light on racial tensions and courtroom dynamics in the mid-70s America. Dean Martin shines as the magnetic yet flawed defense attorney with his nuanced performance. The narrative's development including elements of criminal offense, mystery, and social commentary make sure the film's unflinching resonance despite its age.

Top Cast

  • Dean Martin (small)
    Dean Martin
    Joe Ricco
  • Eugene Roche (small)
    Eugene Roche
    George Cronyn
  • Thalmus Rasulala (small)
    Thalmus Rasulala
    Frankie Steele
  • Denise Nicholas (small)
    Denise Nicholas
    Irene Mapes
  • Cindy Williams (small)
    Cindy Williams
    Jamison
  • Geraldine Brooks (small)
    Geraldine Brooks
    Katherine Fremont
  • Philip Michael Thomas (small)
    Philip Michael Thomas
    Purvis Mapes (as Philip Thomas)
  • Dennis Lee Smith
    Officer Hanley
  • George Tyne (small)
    George Tyne
    Lt. Barrett
  • Robert Sampson (small)
    Robert Sampson
    Justin
  • Michael Gregory
    Tanner