I saw this little gem of a film on the two occasions when it was shown on British television in the late 70s/early 80s. It came out at the time when American cinema was rediscovering the blockbuster, courtesy of Spielberg and Lucas. That, along with its country of origin, may have been to its disadvantage. Skip Tracer had more in common with downbeat urban films like Coppola's The Conversation and some of the other early 70s 'New Hollywood' fare.
It's a film about a 'company man' who has desensitised himself in the service of 'The Company' and gradually starts to feel he's had enough of it. The pivotal points coming when he's attacked and stabbed by one of his debtors and, at the end, when he discovers just how far another of his 'skips' has been driven. His growing tiredness with his job is contrasted with the transformation of his raw, rookie sidekick into an ambitious new 'company man' for the future. Someone to carry on winning the 'employee of the year' awards after his mentor has moved on.
This is an excellent and criminally under-rated film. A DVD release and screenings at film festivals are long overdue. See it if you get the chance.
It's a film about a 'company man' who has desensitised himself in the service of 'The Company' and gradually starts to feel he's had enough of it. The pivotal points coming when he's attacked and stabbed by one of his debtors and, at the end, when he discovers just how far another of his 'skips' has been driven. His growing tiredness with his job is contrasted with the transformation of his raw, rookie sidekick into an ambitious new 'company man' for the future. Someone to carry on winning the 'employee of the year' awards after his mentor has moved on.
This is an excellent and criminally under-rated film. A DVD release and screenings at film festivals are long overdue. See it if you get the chance.