Phillip Noyce’s ‘Fast Charlie’ to World Premiere at 46th Mill Valley Film Festival

The California Film Institute, which puts on the annual Mill Valley Film Festival, announced today that Fast Charlie, the new film by acclaimed director Phillip Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence, Clear and Present Danger, Salt) will have its world premiere at the 46th edition of the festival on Saturday, October 7 at the Smith Rafael Center.

The action comedy set on the Mississippi bayou stars Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, Gbenga Akinnagbe, and the late James Caan in his final performance, and tells the story of Charlie Swift, aka “Fast Charlie” (Brosnan), a fixer with a problem: the target he’s whacked is missing his head. He must prove it’s the intended target to the man who paid for the hit – New Orleans’ most prominent and most ruthless mobster, Beggar Mercado (Akinnagbe). Charlie enlists Marcie Kramer (Baccarin), the victim’s ex-wife and a woman with the backbone and skillset Charlie needs. Dragging Marcie back into a past she was determined to escape sends the two of them on a wild and unpredictable odyssey that’s unexpectedly amusing, action-propelled, and ultimately heartfelt. Along the way, Charlie and Marcie fight to protect the legacy of Charlie’s best friend and mentor, Stan Mullin (Caan), while bringing down Beggar and his entire operation.

“Pierce Brosnan and I chose to premiere Fast Charlie at MVFF because of such fond mutual memories of our previous screenings at this wonderful celebration of cinema,” remarked Phillip Noyce, underlining the special connection both he and Brosnan have with the Mill Valley Film Festival.

The film joins the previously announced lineup that includes opening night film Day of the Fight, the directorial debut of actor Jack Huston, Todd Haynes’ May December, Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn and more.

The 46th Mill Valley Film Festival runs October 5-15, 2023.