Review of Mr Majestyk

Introduction

Not every Bronson movie is a great movie. In fact, very few Bronson movies could be described in this way. Mr. Majestyk is clearly an exception. Bronson`s performance here is fine, and he`s appropriately cast as a tough, and morally righteous, middle-aged man who decides enough is enough.

The movie is made of the very finest cloth - it`s based on a novel of the same name by author Elmore Leonard who is generally a screenplay writers dream. (Jackie Brown, Out of Sight, Get Shorty). This narrative covers some familiar Leonard territory - the tough, middle-aged guy fighting the injustices of modern America, usually single-handedly, and winning. But this is no `Enter the Dragon`. The plot here is never far-fetched. It always feels possible, and as a result, is immensely satisfying viewing.

The narrative unfolds wonderfully with Bronson cast as an honest and hard working melon farmer (interestingly the very phrase later adopted in re-dubs of Hollywood movies to down-grade classification instead of the similar sounding word that replaces the word melon with mother and farmer with...well, I guess this is a tangent…). Refusing to be bullied into using crews not of his own choosing to pick the melons, Bronson soon finds himself in deep water and behind bars. From here, events unfold in typical Leonard style (won`t spoil it here) and Bronson soon finds himself as the mouse to vicious hit-man Al Letierri`s cat - and the action really starts.

Al Letierri is well cast as a giant and brutal thug (not unlike his character in Pekinpah`s "The Getaway.") and his temper is always simmering just below the surface, and for him everybody is an a******.

Linda Cristal plays an immigrant (Mexican) worker who becomes, not only the romantic interest for Bronson, but the early vehicle for our appreciation of Bronson as a guy who likes fair play and abhors injustice. In the early part of the movie a gas station attendant refuses to allow her to use the toilets, which he claims are broken. Bronson, who has just used the facilities himself, decides to take matters into his own hands. And that really sets the pattern for the rest of this very fine movie.

The movie was shot in Colorado (though pretending to be California somewhere near the Mexican border) and is visually stunning too. Fine stuff!

Video

This is very much a movie of the `70`s, from the opening blood red title sequence replete with orchestra mixed with wah-wah guitar through to the gritty colours of the interior scenes. This is an impressive transfer with very little blemish.

Audio

For a movie so packed with action, there is little here to set your audio-system alight. It`s not a problem, it`s just that the plot would (these days) be a Foley-man`s dream and much more would have been made of the sound-scape opportunities if the movie had been made today. This isn`t a gripe, just an observation. However, whilst a bit toppy, audio here is fine.

Features

Half a dozen language versions (as well as many sub-title options) - and that`s it. No sign of the advertised trailer on this review copy.

Conclusion

If you`re looking for the filmic equivalent of a thrilling `page-turner` then this is it. A surprisingly engaging performance from Bronson in a classy early `70`s adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel of the same name. It`s a clear cut, sofa-clutching plot that pulls you in from the moment the opening titles fade. You won`t need a film-studies degree to distinguish the good-guys from the bad here, and it`s an easily consumed action movie that is both morally and creatively satisfying. There are some excellent support performances from Al Letierri (The Getaway), Lee Purcell and Linda Cristal, and the Direction and cutting of the movie is first class. There are plenty of chases, car crashes, explosions, gunfights, fistfights and mouth-offs - and even a little time left over for wholesome romance. Recommended.