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Impasse is a crime thriller film from 1969 directed by Richard Benedict. The movie stars Burt Reynolds, Anne Francis, and Lyle Bettger in lead roles. Impasse is set in the American Southwest and follows the story of a small-time crook, John Hopper (Burt Reynolds), who is released from prison and begins plotting his next big heist. John is a hardened criminal and has spent most of his adult life behind bars. He is determined to get rich quick and retire to a life of luxury. However, things don't go as planned when he enlists the help of an old flame, Monica (Anne Francis), to execute his plan. She is hesitant to get involved with him again, but her love for John blinds her better judgment.

The duo takes up residence in a small town in Arizona and begins to plan their heist. The target is a wealthy businessman, Duncan (Lyle Bettger), who keeps a fortune in his home's safe. John and Monica pose as wealthy investors and befriend the businessman and his wife, hoping to gain access to the safe's contents. However, as they get closer to their objective, they find that their plan is more challenging than they imagined.

Throughout the movie, John struggles with keeping his distance from Monica, who begins to suspect that he may be using her. Their relationship becomes more complicated, and it ultimately puts their plan at risk. Meanwhile, the businessman's wife becomes increasingly suspicious of their motives and starts to investigate their past.

The movie features some intense action scenes as John and Monica navigate the challenges that arise during their heist. They are constantly on the run from the police and the businessman's guards. Their plans to escape the town and return to their life of luxury are continuously thwarted by unexpected twists and turns.

One of the movie's standout performances is Burt Reynolds, who plays John with a combination of charm and arrogance. He is the perfect anti-hero, and his captivating presence drives the story forward. Anne Francis delivers a convincing performance as Monica, a woman who is torn between her love for John and her reservations about his plan.

Lyle Bettger also shines in his portrayal of the businessman, who is no pushover despite his wealthy status. He brings some much-needed depth to the character, making the audience empathize with him despite being one of the antagonists. The supporting cast comprising actors such as Rodolfo Acosta, Miko Mayama, and Ray Danton also delivers solid performances throughout the movie.

The film's setting in the American Southwest adds to the movie's intensity, and the director makes excellent use of the landscape. The desert provides the perfect backdrop for some of the movie's action sequences, such as a thrilling car chase through a dusty dirt road.

Impasse is a reasonably decent crime thriller that keeps you engaged throughout its runtime. While not the most exceptional film in its genre, it does provide some suspenseful moments and features some good performances. The chemistry between Burt Reynolds and Anne Francis is another highlight of the movie. Impasse is worth watching for fans of the crime thriller genre and Burt Reynolds fans alike.

Impasse is a 1969 action movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.