moonspinner55 Richard Rush directed this (intentionally?) uneven blend of comic-macho clumsiness and violent police action set in San Francisco. Two cops (well-cast buddy couple, Alan Arkin and James Caan) bust chops and wreck cars in an attempt to nab a numbers-racketeer. Rush is attracted to a messy visual style--cajoling comedy combined with bursts of bloody violence--yet the blood is cartoon-red, a signal to us this is all in good fun. One of the villains is an evil transvestite, another cue for derisive approval (villainous gays quickly became a lamentable cliché, coming right on the heels of murderous hippies). The leads are wired for self-detonation (was Rush trying to get them to emulate Elliott Gould and Donald Sutherland from "MASH"?). Supporting cast is solid, with Valerie Harper exceptional in small role as Arkin's wife, and some of the comedy works, but much of the rest is decidedly off-putting. ** from ****

TSMChicago I have been laughing myself silly at this movie since I first saw it on Christmas Day, 1974.Funny, violent, loud and much like a traffic accident in that you can't look away. Freebie and the Bean is like a truly tasteless joke; you know it is probably wrong and still you laugh so hard.Two lovably inept cops manage to keep from being suspended while they attempt to protect a local mobster from out of town hit men. Richard Rush's comedy chase film contains the wildest car crashes this side of The Blues Brothers.With a healthy dose of sexist, racist and scatological humor, you just need to chill out and enjoy the jokes and one liners. James Caan and Alan Arkin assume the usual buddy cop roles and run wild. Relax, it's just a movie made at a time when we weren't so paranoid about poking fun at our differences.Best scenes? The car chase that ends up on the third floor, the bowling alley shootout in the men's room and the mano a mano (sort of) confrontation in the ladies' room at the Super Bowl.The banter between Freebie and Bean is priceless, including a terrific exchange where we don't know if they're discussing a wife's infidelity or the dog stools in the yard. Great script by Robert Kaufman (Love at First Bite) and story by the incredible Floyd Mutrux (American Hot Wax, The Hollywood Knights). Warner Home Video, a company that does listen to movie fans, promised us this DVD release for years, and now they have delivered. If you haven't seen this comedy classic in widescreen, you will be impressed!

Howlin Wolf There is no justice when a movie this good is virtually unknown. Freebie & the Bean is peerless as a cop comedy. There have been plenty of funny action films, but this jocular caper would rather tickle your ribs than break them; and as an effort from a fledgling genre, it still appears to be matchless. Without this, there could surely have been no Blues Brothers, not to mention that this hidden gem easily surpasses Elwood & Co. anyway. The stunt guys must have been working overtime, but everybody's dedication shines through on this one... ! If, like me, you adore James Caan and want to see him playing a 'wise guy' unconnected with the Mob, then this is absolutely the perfect fit.

cpeterka-2 Really great interaction as it shows the interaction between two cops who come from different worlds, but still care for each other. I love the gags, Car into the apartment, and especially the scene in the bowling alley mens room. The bullet falling on the floor...and then all heck breaks loose!!I see that scene every time I go into a mens room. And it's been 20+ years since I've seen the movie. It's a Classic! Alan Arkin is as great as he is in "The In-Laws". .Another Classic. And James Caen... Plays the totally believable cop who uses the system to get as much for himself as is possible.