Assassination Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy presidential bodyguard has to protect a First Lady who hates him and keeps accidentally finding assassins, all because the President’s chief of staff thinks her demise will help the President’s… uh… re-election chances.

🍿 Assassination: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Assignment to the First Lady

Following a leave of absence, Secret Service agent Jay Killian is assigned to protect the new First Lady, Lara Royce Craig, on the day of President Calvin Craig’s inauguration. Killian, initially expecting to guard the President, is frustrated by the reassignment, while the First Lady, known for her independent and outspoken nature, is equally dismissive of needing protection and quickly clashes with Killian’s strict security protocols.

Early Assassination Attempts

Despite Lara’s initial resistance, assassination attempts quickly begin. During the inaugural motorcade, a nearby police motorcycle explodes, narrowly avoided thanks to Killian’s quick action. Later, a bomb planted on her father’s yacht explodes in Newport Beach. Despite the near-misses and evidence linking attacks to known terrorists, Lara remains skeptical, forcing Killian to take drastic measures to keep her safe as threats escalate.

On the Run and Cross-Country Journey

Realizing the seriousness of the threat and that the danger may be coming from within the White House itself, Killian takes Lara on the run. They embark on a perilous cross-country journey, using various modes of transportation to evade pursuers. During their escape, Lara begins to trust Killian, and the forced proximity leads to unexpected moments of connection and tension.

Unveiling the Conspiracy

While evading hitmen, Lara confesses to Killian about her and President Craig’s political marriage of convenience, revealing that the President’s impotence meant their union was purely for political optics. Killian theorizes that the President or someone close to him might be behind the attempts, believing a widowed president would be more politically viable than a divorced one. This revelation shifts their focus from simply surviving to uncovering who wants Lara dead and why.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jay Killian (Charles Bronson): A veteran Secret Service agent reluctantly assigned to protect the First Lady, who uncovers a conspiracy against her.
• Lara Royce Craig (Jill Ireland): The arrogant First Lady who initially resists protection but relies on Killian when repeated assassination attempts occur.
• Sen. Bunsen (Michael Ansara): The White House Chief of Staff secretly orchestrating the assassination attempts against the First Lady for political reasons.
• Eddie Bracken (James Lemp): A notorious terrorist and hired assassin tasked with eliminating the First Lady.
• Charlotte Chang (Jan Gan Boyd): A fellow Secret Service agent and Killian’s love interest who provides support.
• Fitzroy (Stephen Elliott): Jay Killian’s supervisor in the Secret Service who trusts his agent’s instincts.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lara Royce Craig: “Do you speak English?” – Asked condescendingly to an American Indian car salesman who replies, “Do I look like some goddamned foreigner?”
• Lara Royce Craig: “I’m starting to miss Nancy Reagan.” – Said exasperatedly after Jay Killian makes a strict demand of her, highlighting her difficulty with his security protocols.
• Jay Killian: “No one said anything about marriage?” – His deadpan response to his much younger colleague/love interest, Charlotte Chang, who jokes about them not having ‘Tootsie Rolls’ after they get married.
• Lara Royce Craig: “Don’t call me Ma’am.” – A frequent command she gives to Killian and others, asserting her desire not to be treated formally or perhaps dismissively due to her position.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,075,793
• Worldwide Gross: $6,075,793

💥 Assassination Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Assassination’ expecting a typical 80s Bronson flick, and while it delivers on some cheesy action, it’s weirder than I thought! Getting to see Charles Bronson paired up with his real-life wife, Jill Ireland, was pretty cool, especially knowing it was one of their last films together. Their back-and-forth is actually pretty entertaining, even if the plot gets totally ridiculous. I mean, a First Lady on the run in a dune buggy? Only in the 80s Cannon films! The action scenes are hit-or-miss – some are surprisingly over-the-top fun (bazooka!), while others feel kind of flat. Yeah, there are plot holes you could drive a motorcade through, and the ‘geography’ is hilariously bad (mountains in Indiana, really?). But honestly, I had a good time with it. It’s pure comfort food cinema for fans of that era and Bronson’s later work. Don’t take it too seriously, and you might just enjoy the ride.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Charles Bronson”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 1980s action films”
  • “Those interested in political thrillers (with significant creative license)”
  • “People who appreciate ‘so bad it’s good’ or cheesy action movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Action violence (gunfire, explosions, chase scenes)”
  • “Depiction of assassination attempts”
  • “Outdated social views and character portrayals (e.g., First Lady character, dialogue)”

Professional Reviews

• Inspired by User Reviews: “Assassination feels like a relic from an earlier decade, suffering from low production values and a meandering plot. While the dynamic between real-life couple Bronson and Ireland provides fleeting moments of charm, the film struggles to find its footing, awkwardly balancing cheesy action with attempted political thriller elements. The stunts and effects are decidedly low-budget, and the narrative often strains credulity. It’s primarily for die-hard Bronson fans seeking completion.
• Inspired by User Reviews: “Peter Hunt’s ‘Assassination’ pairs Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland in a late-career Cannon vehicle that lurches between action and unintentional comedy. Ireland plays a difficult First Lady targeted for death, while Bronson is her stoic protector. Their real-life chemistry peeks through, but the film’s illogical plot, wooden supporting cast, and dated action sequences undermine the effort. It’s a watchable curiosity for its absurdity and the stars’ final pairing.
• Inspired by User Reviews: “Despite the presence of action icon Charles Bronson, ‘Assassination’ is a largely forgettable thriller. The premise of protecting a headstrong First Lady offers potential, but it’s buried under a nonsensical conspiracy and uneven tone. Action is sporadic and often poorly executed, feeling more like a TV movie than a theatrical release. While Bronson and Ireland share some pleasant, albeit brief, interactions, the film’s numerous flaws make it a tough recommendation.

Audience Reactions

The real-life chemistry between Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland provided unexpected charm.: Many viewers found the film unintentionally funny due to its absurd plot and dated execution.

Fans appreciated seeing Bronson in a slightly different, sometimes comedic, role.: The over-the-top action sequences, while sparse, delivered some enjoyable moments.

The film holds nostalgic value for fans of 80s B-movies and Cannon Films.: The core dynamic of the grumpy bodyguard and the headstrong First Lady was an interesting, albeit flawed, concept.

Overall Consensus: A cheesy, low-budget 80s action-thriller that offers campy fun for fans of Charles Bronson and Cannon Films, but is widely criticized for its illogical plot, uneven tone, and dated production values.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was the 16th and final film pairing of real-life husband and wife Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland.”
• “Jill Ireland was already battling cancer during filming, and according to a review, the production might have been partly scheduled to allow them one more film together before her health declined.”
• “The film suffered from noticeable production issues common to later Cannon Group films, including continuity errors (e.g., palm trees in Washington D.C. during inauguration scenes) and low-budget effects.”
• “The original script reportedly called for Jan Gan Boyd’s character to be partially nude in a love scene, but she asked to remain clothed, and Charles Bronson supported her request, leading producers to agree.”
• “Music from the earlier Cannon film ‘Invasion U.S.A.’ (1985), also composed by Jay Chattaway, was re-used in this movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Assassination?

Assassination (1987) is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Physical copies, including the DVD previously released by MGM Home Entertainment, may also be available for sale through various retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Assassination, you might like these similar films:

• In the Line of Fire (1993): Direct comparison featuring a veteran Secret Service agent protecting a political figure targeted for assassination, involving intricate plot and chase sequences.
• The Bodyguard (1992): Features a professional bodyguard protecting a famous, initially reluctant, female client from threats, leading to a developing personal connection.
• Mr. Majestyk (1974): A classic Charles Bronson film where he plays a tough, independent character dealing with threats, featuring a notable dynamic with a strong female character (though not a protectee).
• Death Hunt (1981): Another action/thriller directed by Peter Hunt starring Charles Bronson as a man on the run, showcasing his ability in survival and chase scenarios.
• The Delta Force (1986): A quintessential Cannon Group action film from the same era, featuring over-the-top action, including motorcycles with rockets, similar to elements seen in ‘Assassination’.

🛒 Assassination Related Products

• Charles Bronson 8-Movie Collection: Own a collection of Charles Bronson’s action classics, including some of his most iconic roles. Perfect for fans wanting to dive deeper into his filmography beyond ‘Assassination’.
• Retro 80s Action Movie Posters: Vintage-style posters celebrating the golden age of 1980s action cinema. Featuring bold artwork and iconic stars.
• Political Thriller Novel Collection: A selection of gripping political thriller novels exploring themes of conspiracy, protection, and espionage, similar to the movie’s core premise.
• Cannon Films Blu-ray Anthology: A limited edition set showcasing some of the most memorable (and infamous) films from The Cannon Group, known for producing Bronson’s later work.

🎧 Soundtrack

Assassination features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “March” – performed by Jay Chattaway

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pianist Disguised as a Blind Man Witnesses Assassination. #shorts

Ever wonder about the wild setup for Andhadhun? This quick recap nails the twisted beginning – it seriously pulls you right in and gives you a taste of why this movie is so acclaimed!

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