Watch Lessons For An Assassin
- 2009
- 1 hr 24 min
-
3.2 (131)
Lessons For An Assassin is a gripping action-thriller from 2003 starring Shannon Lee, Robert Vitelli, and Michael Dorn. The story follows a female assassin, Amanda, portrayed by Shannon Lee, who is haunted by her past and wants to leave the world of killing behind. However, her former employer Stan, played by Robert Vitelli, needs her to carry out one last job for him.
The movie starts with Amanda as a skilled assassin, who is successful in her job. However, after her last mission, she realizes that she wants to leave behind her life of violence and bloodshed. She decides to start a new life and move away from her past, which is made even more difficult when she falls in love with a man named David, played by G. Anthony Joseph.
David, who has no idea about Amanda's past, is an honest and kind man who owns a small cafe. As their relationship blossoms, Amanda's past comes back to haunt her when her former employer, Stan, comes to her with a new offer - to kill a high-profile target. Initially hesitant, Amanda ultimately agrees, as she sees it as a way to finally sever ties with her employer and start fresh with David.
As Amanda carries out the job, she realizes that things are not as straightforward as she was led to believe. She finds herself caught in a web of lies and deceit, and before long, she and David are fighting for their survival. Amanda has to navigate through a world where allies become enemies, and nothing is as it seems.
One of the standout aspects of Lessons For An Assassin is its nuanced portrayal of its female protagonist. The movie does not rely on tropes or objectification to build the character of Amanda. Instead, we see her as a complex individual with her own demons and motivations. Shannon Lee does an excellent job portraying the character, bringing a sense of vulnerability and strength that makes Amanda feel authentic.
Another strength of the movie is its pacing. The action scenes are thrilling, but they are interspersed with moments of quiet tension-building, which adds to the overall sense of dread and uncertainty. The movie does an excellent job of building up to its climactic finale, with several unexpected twists and turns.
The supporting cast also deserves praise, with Robert Vitelli and Michael Dorn both delivering strong performances. Vitelli brings a sense of menace and control to his role as Amanda's former employer, Stan, while Dorn plays a seasoned detective who becomes embroiled in the events of the story.
Overall, Lessons For An Assassin is an engaging and well-crafted action-thriller that deserves more recognition. It tackles themes of redemption, forgiveness, and loyalty in a way that feels fresh and compelling. It also serves as a showcase for Shannon Lee's abilities as an actress, and it's a tragedy that she didn't have more opportunities to showcase her talent before her untimely death.
In conclusion, if you're a fan of action-thrillers that feature complex characters and well-executed action sequences, Lessons For An Assassin is definitely worth a watch. It's a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think long after the credits have rolled.
Lessons For An Assassin is a 2009 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.2.