"The Mechanic" looks good. It was well shot, and uses good locations. Its beginning is also promising: rougly 15 minutes of no dialogue as we watch the hitman (or "mechanic") prepare for his next job.
But is doesn't hold together that well. There is little in the way of a strong thread to tie the movie together, and I have a theory about why that is. The movie is supposed to be about the relationship between an ageing hitman and the young gun he takes under his wing. But in the original screenplay, this relationship was also sexual. They weren't going to go that route in the '70s - hell, they might not even do it now - and so they had to pull back.
It leaves us with some set pieces that could have been good in a better movie, and absolutely no suspense.
Too bad, as Bronson is good, and so is Jan-Michael Vincent.
But is doesn't hold together that well. There is little in the way of a strong thread to tie the movie together, and I have a theory about why that is. The movie is supposed to be about the relationship between an ageing hitman and the young gun he takes under his wing. But in the original screenplay, this relationship was also sexual. They weren't going to go that route in the '70s - hell, they might not even do it now - and so they had to pull back.
It leaves us with some set pieces that could have been good in a better movie, and absolutely no suspense.
Too bad, as Bronson is good, and so is Jan-Michael Vincent.