The Mechanic (2011)

Follows an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims.

Director:

Simon West

Writers:

Richard Wenk (screenplay), Lewis John Carlino (screenplay)

Stars:

Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Statham	...	Arthur Bishop
Ben Foster	...	Steve McKenna
Tony Goldwyn	...	Dean
Donald Sutherland	...	Harry McKenna
Jeff Chase	...	Burke
Mini Anden	...	Sarah
James Logan	...	Jorge Lara
Eddie J. Fernandez	...	Lara's Guard (as Eddie Fernandez)
Joshua Bridgewater	...	Car Jacker
John McConnell	...	Vaughn
Christa Campbell	...	Kelly
Joel Davis	...	Husband
Mark Nutter	...	Mr. Finch (as Mark Anthony Nutter)
Ardy Brent Carlson	...	Bell Hop
Lara Grice	...	Mrs. Finch

Storyline

Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) is a 'mechanic' - an elite assassin with a strict code and unique talent for cleanly eliminating targets. It's a job that requires professional perfection and total detachment, and Bishop is the best in the business. But when his mentor and close friend Harry (Donald Sutherland) is murdered, Bishop is anything but detached. His next assignment is self-imposed - he wants those responsible dead. His mission grows complicated when Harry's son Steve (Ben Foster) approaches him with the same vengeful goal and a determination to learn Bishop's trade. Bishop has always acted alone but he can't turn his back on Harry's son. A methodical hit man takes an impulsive student deep into his world and a deadly partnership is born. But while in pursuit of their ultimate mark, deceptions threaten to surface and those hired to fix problems become problems themselves.

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Plot Keywords:

apprentice | assassin | mentor | disobeying orders | gas station | 

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Taglines:

The most powerful criminals believe they're untouchable. They're dead wrong.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

CBS Films [United States] Official site [Argentina]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 January 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

El especialista

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,422,006, 30 January 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$29,121,498

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$76,347,393

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Films,Millennium Films,Chartoff-Winkler Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The illegal arms dealer's mugshot is simply the actor's face photoshopped onto David Bowie's mugshot from a drug-related arrest in Rochester NY.

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Goofs

When Arthur is on the phone with Dean and announcing he is coming for him, a boom mic is visible throughout much of the scene, directly above Dean's head.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Arthur Bishop: What I do requires a certain mindset. I do assignments; designated targets. Some jobs need to look like accidents. Others must cast suspicion on someone else. A select few need to send a clear message. Pulling a trigger is easy. The best jobs are the ones nobody even knows you were there.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Gwyneth Paltrow/Cee Lo Green (2011)

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Soundtracks

CHICKEN BONE
Written by Brant Curran Slay, Benjamin Brooks Reynolds
Performed by Chickasaw Mudd Puppies
Published by Canebrake Music (BMI)
Courtesy of Chickasaw Records

User Reviews

Not sure I like this one

I am one of the original Jason Statham fans. I loved the Transporter, Crank and his collaborations with Guy Ritchie like Revolver and even tolerated some of his less glorious efforts such as Death Race.

For me what makes his movies so enjoyable is the tongue in cheek humour and the likable side of the tough guy. We all know he's not a great actor but the lovable rogue is his trademark and that's why we keep going back for more.

"The Mechanic" is about a ruthless hit man and it gives Statham no opportunity to smile or engage in banter, nor make us laugh. It's a non- stop action film with a few goofs and a script with holes big enough to drive a bus through. Normally I would forgive and forget, because I like him, but he didn't make me laugh nor make me wish I could be like him this time.

There were no characters to like in this film, but there was plenty of action which makes it instantly forgettable. I know you want to read the movie was great but I wouldn't be honest if I pretended it was. Worth watching but don't expect another Transporter.