“The Mechanic” Movie Review

 

“The Mechanic”

 

Movie Review

 

 

 

The Mechanic is a 1972 American action thriller directed by Michael Winner and written by Lewis John Carlino. Charles Bronson, Jan-Michael Vincent, Keenan Wynn, and Jill Ireland star in it.

 

The plot revolves around Arthur Bishop (Bronson), a ruthless assassin who mentors Steve McKenna (Vincent), the ruthless and ambitious son of Harry McKenna (Wynn), the former head of the secret organization for which Bishop works. It is notable for its opening sequence, which has no dialogue for the first 16 minutes as Bronson's character prepares to kill his current target. The title is a euphemism for hitman.

 

Arthur Bishop is a top contract killer known as a "mechanic" who exclusively works for a secretive international criminal organization with strict rules. His job allows him to live a lavish lifestyle; he regularly listens to classical music, has an art collection, and is an expert on fine wines. However, he is forced to live alone because he cannot express his emotions or trust others. Bishop is constantly under emotional duress, so much so that he has been prescribed antidepressants for depression. He is temporarily hospitalized one day after losing consciousness due to stress. Bishop pays a call girl to simulate a romantic, social, and sexual relationship with him, including fake love letters.

 

When Bishop is assigned one of the organization's heads, "Big Harry" McKenna, he shoots at him while making him believe the shots are coming from a hidden sniper. Bishop is aware that Harry has a weak heart, so he runs up a steep incline, resulting in a heart attack. Bishop then kills Harry by suffocating him.

 

Bishop meets Big Harry's narcissistic, ruthless, and ambitious son Steve at his funeral. Steve is fascinated by Bishop and wants to learn more about him. Bishop is intrigued as well. He realizes Steve has the personality of a hit man and agrees to play along. Bishop teaches Steve as part of his training that "everyone has a weakness, and once this weakness is discovered, the target is easy to kill." However, Bishop failed to obtain prior approval from his superiors for the arrangement. Following a bungled assassination by Bishop and Steve, the organization warns Bishop that his irresponsible decision to involve Steve has been misconstrued as selfish behavior.

 

Bishop is then assigned an urgent mission, this time in Italy, by the organization. Bishop involves Steve in the new plan once more, but just before they leave, Bishop discovers a file containing information about Bishop among Steve's belongings. This file looks a lot like the ones Bishop made for his targets. Nonetheless, Bishop permits Steve to accompany him to Italy.

 

Bishop and Steve approach a boat where their intended victim is supposed to be, but it soon becomes clear that this was a trap and they are the real targets. Bishop and Steve are ambushed, but they kill all of their assassins.

 

Steve appears to have completed his apprenticeship when he shares a celebratory bottle of wine with Bishop, having coated the latter's glass with brucine, a colorless and lethal alkaloid. When Bishop realizes he's been poisoned, he asks Steve if it's because Bishop murdered Steve's father. Steve responds that he had no idea his father had been murdered. Steve mocks Bishop by saying "You stated that every man has a jelly spot. Yours was that you couldn't do it alone." Steve then reveals that he was not acting on orders to murder Bishop.

 

Steve goes back to Bishop's house to retrieve the Ford Mustang he left there. He discovers a note affixed to the rearview mirror that reads: "If you're reading this, it means I didn't make it back. You've also broken a filament controlling a 13-second delay trigger. The game is over. Bang! You're no longer alive." The car explodes as Steve frantically reaches for the door handle, killing him.

 

The film received generally mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release, but it was praised for its action scenes, acting, and writing, though Winner's direction and storytelling were criticized.

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