Maverick

Maverick (1994) is a comedy western directed by Richard Donner — watch it online on iFILM. Mel Gibson plays Bret Maverick, a charming cardsharp who would rather talk his way out of trouble than shoot his way through it. He needs three thousand dollars to enter a high-stakes poker tournament, and he needs it fast.

The road to the game runs through a string of frontier towns, crooked deals, and one very entertaining thief named Annabelle Benton, played by Jodie Foster. She smiles like she's on your side and counts cards like she isn't. Veteran James Garner rounds out the trio as a marshal with a murky past — Garner himself played the original TV Maverick back in the late 1950s, making his casting here a knowing wink at fans. At 127 minutes the film packs in robberies, chases, and more double-crosses than a poker hand can hold.

Sharp writing, a cast clearly enjoying every scene, and a brisk pace make this one of the more rewatchable westerns of the decade. Stream Maverick (1994) in full online on iFILM.