Fuzz
Performance & Direction: Fuzz Review
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Fuzz (1972) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Fuzz features a noteworthy lineup led by Burt Reynolds . Supported by the likes of Jack Weston and Tom Skerritt , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Fuzz
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1972, Fuzz is a Comedy, Crime, Drama film directed by Richard A. Colla. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Burt Reynolds.
Ending Explained: Fuzz
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Richard A. Colla, Fuzz attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Burt Reynolds, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Fuzz reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Fuzz Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Fuzz incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime, drama film directed by Richard A. Colla, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Burt Reynolds's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Fuzz adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Fuzz?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Fuzz
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Fuzz Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus
Philo
Amazon Prime Video with AdsFuzz Parents Guide & Age Rating
1972 AdvisoryWondering about Fuzz age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Fuzz is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.4/10, and global performance metrics, Fuzz is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1972 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fuzz worth watching?
Fuzz is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.4/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Fuzz parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Fuzz identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Fuzz?
The total duration of Fuzz is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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How Fuzz Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Fuzz
_**87th Precinct yarn set in Boston with Burt Reynolds, Tom Skerritt and Raquel Welch**_ Detectives in Boston have to deal with several typical crime issues in the big city, including a money-hungry killer bomber (Yul Brynner). Burt Reynolds, Tom Skerritt, Raquel Welch and Jack Weston head the cast. "Fuzz" (1972) is an 87th Precinct tale based on the book of the same name and written by the author, Evan Hunter, aka Ed McBain. It’s similar in some ways to other big city detective flicks of that era, like “Bullitt” (1968), Dirty Harry (1971), “The Night Stalker” (1972) and “Deathwish” (1974), but it’s easily the least of these because (1) the attempt to shoehorn humor into the life-or-death proceedings, à la “M*A*S*H” (1972), seems forced and (2) the script tries to juggle too many separate incidents with too many characters. One example of the strained humor is the painters working in the headquarters throughout. But some of the humor works. If they would’ve toned down these kinds of artificialities the movie would’ve worked better. But working out the kinks in scripts take time and time means money. In any case, if you can adapt to the movie’s peculiar tone there’s a lot to appreciate here, including the great cast, which includes many recognizable faces, like Charles Martin Smith, Steve Ihnat and Cal Bellini. It’s also worth noting that the film gets better as it moves along with the last act being the best. It was the obvious inspiration for the TV show Hill Street Blues. Fifteen months after its release, 24 year-old Evelyn Wagler was shockingly murdered in the rundown Blue Hill district of Boston in what might have been a copycat crime based on this movies’ depiction of bums doused with gasoline and set ablaze. What made this incident worse was that it appeared to be a racial hate crime, the victim being white and the six teen perps being black, as witnessed by Wagler before she succumbed to her injuries four hours after the crime. The thug scum were never caught. The movie runs 1 hour, 32 minutes. GRADE: B-/C+
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
