The Mechanic - 1972

 Wow, well I guessed later in the 70's and it must be because I'm unfamiliar with Bronson, and also cause this movie felt progressive.

Charles Bronson was a huge star, and action film regular by this point.  I haven't seen a lot of movies with him, except the original Death Wish and Death Wish 2, as well as previously on this blog with Cold Sweat.  The Mechanic is a character piece, a dramatic action film, remade recently with everyone's favorite actor Jason Statham.

In the beginning of The Mechanic, we witness Bronson using a methodical and intelligent way to take out a target.  He is given some back story and then he kills a new target.  He teams up with the son of his recent target, and begins training him in the ways of mechanics, also known as hitmen.  Soon enough though, Bronson himself has a hit put on him, and we have to watch him dance.

The coolest part of this movie, and I'm sure something that did not make Statham's remake is the slow, relatively silent drama given to Bronson's character.  It's also staggering because this movie is slow and there's not a lot of depth added to the people, yet it never feels dull, underwritten, or awkward.  There's just a confident mastery to the way a lot of 70's movies are paced.  And yes, it is slow, and yes sometimes it's boring.  Who knows, maybe I like boring.

The Mechanic isn't going to redefine your life or anything, but it's really good, it's a classic 70s character action piece.  Definitely more human and deep than I'd have guessed.  I'd watch another movie like this any day.