The Mechanic Flm Review

I wanted to renew my acquaintance with this classic hitman film. It is the paid assassin version of All About Eve. I have watched a lot of hitman films over the past year - they have sprouted like mushrooms after a spring rain - and I have referenced this film as Old School Hitman. The recent ones are very different - feeding all of our gluttonous needs visually and psychologically. The old ones are much more sedate, realistic, less stylish, more grounded. Unlikely, to walk into a situation where they have to kill dozens of men. I like both types, but it is enjoyable at times to watch the back to basic films. This is one of the best.

It has enough action to keep one into it, but it digs a little deeper in exploring the relationship between a veteran killer and his protégé. In the original script by Lewis Carlino the two of them were closer to having a sexual relationship - the younger one falling in love with his mentor. George Scott said hell no when offered the role. This aspect gets watered down considerably by the making of the film, but it is still a very peculiar bonding experience as they fly together, play handball, go to strip clubs and watch a woman slit her wrists and calmly look on. If not explicit any longer, the subtext is smeared all over like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The two of them are portrayed by Charles Bronson and Jan-Vincent Michael (after Bronson gave the thumbs down to Richard Dreyfuss playing the role). Bishop (Bronson) is the epitome of a sophisticated killer in his lovely home, listening to classical music, smoking his pipe, drinking good wine and lounging about in his red robe. He is a methodical killer. A professional in all aspects. Study the layout, the routine of your target and then act and if possible, make it look like an accident. His first one is pitch perfect. Though some advice, if you think that maybe someone is after you as this guy obviously suspects, don't keep your windows open.

Then he visits a woman (Jill Ireland) who declares her love for him and we think we are seeing a softer, more sensitive side to him if this woman loves him so. The love of a good woman. In the morning, he pays her and says don't lay it on so heavy the next time. He works for an organization that has rules and I expect one of them is don't fall in love. Or say no to an assignment.

His next hit is to be an old family friend (Keenan Wynn) and he doesn't ask why or hesitate. That would break the rules. For reasons perhaps too Freudian to understand, he takes on the son of the man he just killed. McKenna (Vincent) is a pure sociopath. He is fascinated by Bishop even before knowing what his occupation is. Bishop who seems at loose ends takes a shine to the young man. A friend! And soon a killing partner. This is directed by Michael Winner who by all accounts was a slime of a human being but who made a few good films and he and Bronson worked well together on six films.