The Fixer

This film takes place in Chicago where a well-connected lawyer by the name of "Jack Killoran" (Jon Voight) has skillfully maneuvered himself to the height of power due to his ability to "fix" problems for a small group of people who control the levers of power within the city. Unfortunately, just when he is in the center of a major project one of his clients murders a prostitute and he is called upon to do something beyond which he has never done before-and this is when his problems really begin. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a surprisingly good made-for-television film which had a decent plot and some interesting twists and turns along the way. And although I am not a big fan of Jon Voight he performed quite well as did Brenda Baake (as his wife "C.J."). Admittedly, I would have preferred a bit more suspense but all things considered I enjoyed this film for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

The story depicts a man who has manipulated and has been manipulated by political power figures who stop at nothing to execute their power plans. Corruption via payoffs to highly influential people in government and financial institutions as well as public agencies results in their getting their way.

Voight who is their 'fixer' is called on to bribe and coerce the opposing players on behalf of the scoundrels.

He has an experience upon pondering his life and how he is responsible for the continuation of corruption of systems and people. His father had trained him up well in the art of manipulation and now Voight has a change of character and morales. He confides in a bishop of the church who hears his confession and sees his desire to change his ways.

Things are not so easy when the corrupt officials refuse to let Voight get out of the loop. Voight now faces the reality of what his life-style has lead to and begins planning a way out.

The tension mounts as the bosses apply pressure to keep Voight in their fold. The fixer finally makes some irreversible decision that lead to tragic circumstances in his life. All of this is focused on his love for family and especially to regain the respect and love of his adolescent son. Great story line and acting by seasoned professionals.

Jon Voight is Always a very Good actor, in the movies even better than usual

This isn't a bad movie. It only strives to be bad. It's worse than bad. When you look up "bad movies" in the dictionary, it merely uses this movie as the definition. It would have to get a LOT better just so it could be bad.

This line, spoken by a "doctor" in as ham-fisted way as conceivably possible, defines how bad the movie is: "Call an ambulance. And a priest." As if a doctor would say that for a patient who isn't even dying.

If you have only a limited amount of time left on this earth, don't waste it on this pile of stinking horse manure.

Very unique story about a turnaround life in organized crime.... I would think it's hard to imagine such a possibility, but this is a very realistic film, without minimizing the costs, the hardness of what might be involved. A lot of art, creative camerawork and imagery for a television movie, too. Well-written and masterfully directed.