THE CONTRACTOR

US, 2007, 98 minutes, Colour.

Wesley Snipes, Eliza Bennett, Lena Headey, Ralph Brown, Charles Dance, Gemma Jones, Richard Harrington, John Standing.

Directed by Josef Rusnak.

The Contractor is a star vehicle for Wesley Snipes who had made quite an impact in the 1990s but who had fallen on hard times personally, tax issues… This is very much a Wesley Snipes action thriller.

The initial opening is Montana, a ranch, where Snipes’ character, Dial, is in retirement after failing in an assassination attempt on behalf of the CIA. His former boss, Collins (Ralph Brown) comes to Montana to give him the further mission, to kill the former target who is now in London.

Most of the action takes place in London, quickly into an initial attempt by Dial, dressed as a priest, in a church tower, but this also fails, Dial having success soon after and achieving his mission. However, his assistant is delayed by the police which then hinders the getaway, a police chase, shots, the assistant being killed, Dial making his way to a safe house.

The British police are in pursuit of Dial, especially the superintendent played by Charles Dance and his daughter, an inspector, Lena Headey. Meanwhile, Collins has been exposed as having an illicit hit squad and wants to save himself – leading to pursuit, shootouts, the death of the superintendent, the inspector then more intent on capturing Dial, but his saving her life when Collins tries to shoot her.

There is quite the human touch in the story at the safe house, Dial encountering a young girl, Emily, Eliza Bennett, who helps him, bonds with him, assisted by her grandmother, Gemma Jones.

And the film ends rather nicely, Emily and her grandmother with the horses at Dial’s Montana ranch.

While this kind of story is popular, The Contractor went straight to DVD for release.

1. The title, it men, the CIA, missions, success, failure, vengeance?
2. The opening American setting, Dial, his Montana ranch, the mission to go to London, the London settings, the streets, buildings, atmosphere? Musical score?
3. Dial, his past, the hit attempt, his carelessness, failure, counted against him, retirement, Collins and his visit, the commission to England, to hit the same target, to make amends? Dial going to England, Winchell as his assistant?
4. Dial, personality, skills, Collins and his hold, the target, Dial disguised as a priest, the church, the tower, aiming, the target, head covered, Dial biding his time. The next opportunity, success? Winchell and his being delayed by the police, the car and the getaway, the pursuit, the chase through London streets, firing, Winchell’s death? Dial surviving, wounded, making his way to the safe house?
5. Emily, her age, the initial encounter with Dial, helping him, the bond between them? Her grandmother?
6. The London police, searching for Dial? The superintendent, Dial and his escape through the streets, Collins in pursuit? The unmasking of Collins, his secret CIA squad, his not wanting to be exposed? The confrontation with the superintendent, Collins killing him?
7. Inspector Ballard, the superintendent her father, her personality, her squad, determination, the pursuit of Dial? The attempt on her life by Collins, Dial saving her? Her being on side? The pursuit of Collins?
8. Emily, the envelope, the tickets to Montana?
9. The quiet ending, Montana, Emily and her grandmother, the horses?
10. An entertaining thriller, CIA, rogue hit men, and the London setting?