Watch A Piece of the Action

In A Piece of the Action, Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby play two con men, Manny Durrell and Dave Anderson respectively, who turn their lives around when they meet retired detective Joshua Burke (James Earl Jones). Burke hires the duo to help him with a case that involves a group of young criminals who have stolen a safe from a wealthy family in the suburbs.

Manny and Dave, who are used to pulling off small-time heists and running petty scams, are initially uninterested in the offer. However, when they realize that the case could potentially net them quite a bit of money, they agree to help Burke.

Despite their initial reluctance, Manny and Dave quickly find themselves becoming invested in the case. As they begin to dig deeper into the young criminals' backgrounds and motivations, they start to realize that there is more to the case than they initially thought. Along the way, they also begin to learn some valuable life lessons about the importance of honesty and hard work.

One of the standout performances in the film is that of James Earl Jones, who plays Burke with a strong sense of authority and conviction. His character is initially skeptical of Manny and Dave, but over time he comes to respect them and appreciate their unique skills.

Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby also give strong performances as Manny and Dave, respectively. Poitier's character is the more reserved of the two, prone to deep contemplation and introspection, while Cosby's character is the more impulsive and quick-witted. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and their comedic timing is impeccable.

Aside from the strong performances, A Piece of the Action also benefits from a well-crafted script that balances humor, action, and drama in equal measure. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, as well as some genuinely suspenseful scenes. The film also has plenty of heart, and its themes of redemption and second chances resonate strongly.

Another notable aspect of the film is its portrayal of racial issues. Despite being released in 1977, just over a decade after the Civil Rights Movement, the film is surprisingly prescient in its treatment of race relations. Manny and Dave are both African-American con men who have had to rely on their wits in order to get ahead in life, but they begin to see the value in working within the system and helping others. Burke, a white man, is initially suspicious of them but comes to see their worth as the film progresses.

Overall, A Piece of the Action is an engaging, enjoyable, and thought-provoking film that showcases the talents of its talented cast and crew. It's a feel-good movie that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face by the time the credits roll.

A Piece of the Action is a 1977 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.