Mr. Majestyk

Directed by Richard Fleischer, Mr. Majestyk follows Charles Bronson’s title character as he attempts to avoid the murderous advances of a tenacious assassin named Frank Renda (Al Lettieri). Filmmaker Fleischer delivers a mostly watchable endeavor that fares best within its surprising, compelling first half, as the movie benefits from a predictably solid (and commanding) turn from Bronson and Fleischer’s appropriately gritty approach to Elmore Leonard’s screenplay – with, in terms of the latter, the scripter offering up a narrative that doesn’t quite unfold as one might’ve initially anticipated. There’s little doubt, then, that Mr. Majestyk‘s overall impact is diminished by sluggish pacing and a repetitive midsection (ie it feels like we’re just waiting for someone to just make a move already), which, despite the inclusion of an entertaining climax, confirms the picture’s place as a decent-enough Bronson vehicle that could (and should) have been seriously tightened up.

**1/2 out of ****