The Specialist 2000
Directed by
Eyal Sivan
Made by
Kino International
Plot Summary
In 1984, Captain Ray Quick and Colonel Ned Trent, both explosives experts for the CIA, embark on a risky mission to eliminate a vehicle transporting a South American cocaine dealer. However, when the moment arrives, they discover a little girl inside the vehicle alongside the dealer. Ray, feeling a moral obligation, insists they abort the mission, but Ned remains resolute about proceeding. His decision culminates in a tragic explosion that claims the life of the innocent child along with the dealer. Enraged by the outcome, Ray physically confronts Ned, reports him to their superiors, and ultimately resigns from the CIA.
Years later, we find Ray in Miami, now a freelance hitman. He becomes involved with a woman named May Munro, who persistently contacts him through ads. May is driven by revenge against Tomas Leon and his men, who were responsible for her parents’ murder. Despite his hesitations, Ray is ultimately convinced by May to take on a job. May cunningly enters Tomas’ world under the alias Adrian Hastings.
Now working for Joe Leon, Tomas’ father, Ned inserts himself into their organized crime syndicate. Once assassinations begin on their lower-tier associates, Ned manages to get involved with the bomb squad. The resolute May navigates her way into Tomas’ circle, pretending to be his girlfriend, all the while keeping a close watch on the hits that transpire. It later becomes evident that May is entangled in a scheme with Ned; his intent is to draw Ray back out into the open to settle scores for the CIA mission that went awry.
When a trap is laid for Tomas, May finds herself caught amid the chaos, as an explosion appears to take their lives. Ned pretends to mourn, but he only seeks to find Ray alive before he buries his son. Misled, both Ray and Ned mourn the loss of May, until Ray discovers that new messages are still being posted on a bulletin board. Responding to one, Ray unwittingly steps into a trap orchestrated by Ned and the bomb squad, igniting a furious confrontation.
At Adrian Hastings’ funeral, Ray uncovers that May survived, as she was there hoping to see if he would show up. Their relationship grows intimate as they connect at the Fontainebleau Hotel. However, quickly after, May finds herself meeting Ned and dodging his suspicions regarding her survival. When a henchman attempts to escort her to safety, she cleverly requests a restroom break to warn Ray. As tensions mount, Ray rigs his hotel room with explosives, leading to a deadly detonation that incapacitates several of Ned’s men.
_Brought to Joe Leon, Ned decides to keep May alive as bait for Ray. Listening to a call made by Ray to May, he meticulously plots the next move. Despite Ray’s reluctance, May convinces him of her genuine care, leading them to a seafood restaurant. Through a coded message, she subtly warns him of an impending trap. When Ned sends May inside, the restaurant is engulfed in flames. Ray and May narrowly escape, retreating to his warehouse.
As they plan to eliminate Joe Leon, Ned corners them, employing a tactical team to surround the facility. Tensions peak when Ned inadvertently triggers a mine, leading to the explosion of the warehouse that claims his life while Ray and May manage to escape unnoticed through a hidden passage.
The following day, Joe receives a shock from a necklace rigged with explosives, resulting in his instantaneous demise. Following the sound of the detonation, Ray turns to May and inquires how she feels now that all responsible for her pain are gone. To this, her simple reply is, “Better.” They drive away, ready to embrace their future together.
Timeline
CIA Mission Begins
In 1984, Captain Ray Quick and Colonel Ned Trent, both skilled explosives experts, are deployed for a critical CIA operation. Their objective is to eliminate a vehicle transporting a notorious South American cocaine dealer, but the stakes are high as they prepare for the mission.
Moral Dilemma
As the mission unfolds, Ray and Ned discover a little girl inside the vehicle alongside the dealer. Ray, struck by a sudden moral obligation, urges to abort the mission, but Ned is unyielding, leading to a tragic decision that changes everything.
Tragic Explosion
The mission concludes with a catastrophic explosion that results in the death of the innocent child and the dealer. This harrowing outcome deeply enrages Ray, leading to a physical confrontation with Ned and prompting Ray to report him to their superiors.
Ray Resigns from CIA
Overwhelmed by the tragic consequences of the mission, Ray decides to resign from the CIA. This pivotal moment marks a drastic shift in his life, pushing him from a government operative to a life as a freelance hitman.
Life in Miami
Years later, Ray Quick finds himself in Miami, living under the radar as a freelance hitman. It is during this time that he meets May Munro, a woman driven by her thirst for revenge against those responsible for her parents' murder.
May's Revenge Scheme
May persistently reaches out to Ray, eventually convincing him to take on her revenge mission against Tomas Leon. She adopts the alias of Adrian Hastings to infiltrate Tomas' organization and seeks to lure Ray back into the conflict.
Ned's Return
Unbeknownst to Ray, Ned Trent has also returned, now embedded within the organized crime syndicate run by Joe Leon, Tomas' father. Ned's involvement with the bomb squad signals that he has his own agenda, intensifying the looming conflict.
May Infiltrates the Syndicate
As May secures her position within Tomas' world, she expertly keeps tabs on the assassinations happening within the lower tiers of the gang. It's clear that she is playing a dangerous game while fulfilling her own vendetta.
Set-Up for Tomas
A trap is devised to eliminate Tomas, with May caught in the middle of the dangerous plot. The chaos of an explosion leaves her apparent fate uncertain and while it seems bleak, Ned's true motives remain hidden.
The Funeral Revelation
At Adrian Hastings' funeral, Ray is devastated, but he is shocked to uncover that May has survived the explosion. Their reunion ignites a series of emotional connections as they navigate their tumultuous circumstances.
Hospitality Turned Dangerous
After their reunion at the hotel, May finds herself under suspicion from Ned while Ray prepares for the impending danger. A henchman attempts to capture May, but she cleverly requests a break to warn Ray.
Ray's Explosive Plan
Knowing the stakes, Ray rigs his hotel room with explosives, leading to a violent detonation that incapacitates several of Ned's men. This crucial moment highlights Ray's resolve to protect May and confront their enemies.
May as Bait
Capturing May, Ned decides to keep her alive to draw Ray out into the open. Utilizing a phone call, he listens in on their conversation, plotting his next move against them as the tension escalates.
Inferno at the Restaurant
Ned sends May into a seafood restaurant, but disaster strikes as the establishment is consumed by flames. In a harrowing moment, Ray and May narrowly escape, growing closer as they strategize their next moves.
Final Confrontation
As Ray and May devise a plan to eliminate Joe Leon, they find themselves cornered by Ned and his tactical team. The situation culminates in an explosive finale where Ned inadvertently sets off a mine, sealing his fate while Ray and May slip away.
The Takedown of Joe Leon
The next day, Ray executes a final plan against Joe Leon, rigging a necklace with explosives that results in an immediate detonation. With Joe's demise, Ray reflects on their journey and turns to May, ready to embrace a new future.
Characters
Ray Quick
Ray is a skilled explosives expert who struggles with the consequences of his and others' actions. Haunted by guilt over his past decision to proceed with a lethal mission, he transforms into a hitman operating on his own terms, yet remains deeply conflicted about his moral compass.
May Munro
May is a determined woman seeking revenge against Tomas Leon for her parents' murder. Under her alias Adrian Hastings, she infiltrates the criminal world with cunning and guile. Her relationship with Ray reveals her complexities as both a victim of circumstance and a manipulator driven by vengeance.
Ned Trent
Ned is a former colonel and explosives expert who embodies ruthless ambition. His actions are driven by a desire to cover up past mistakes, showcasing a willingness to manipulate those around him. His character becomes increasingly antagonistic as he seeks to reclaim control over Ray and May's lives.
Tomas Leon
Tomas is a dangerous drug dealer entangled in the criminal underworld. His character represents the dark side of organized crime, where moral boundaries are non-existent. His actions directly affect both Ray and May, serving as an obstacle in their quests for revenge and redemption.
Setting
Time period
1984, years later
The story begins in 1984, a period marked by significant political and social changes, particularly in South America around drug trade conflicts. The later timeline allows for the exploration of shadows from the past influencing present actions, showcasing how past decisions reverberate through time.
Location
Miami, South America
Miami is a vibrant coastal city in Florida, known for its beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and cultural diversity. It serves as a key backdrop for events involving organized crime and underground dealings. South America, often associated with drug trade issues, plays a critical role in the story's conflicts and character motivations.
Themes
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Revenge
Revenge is a central theme, notably driving May's actions against those responsible for her parents' murder. This desperation for retribution complicates relationships and moral choices, as characters grapple with consequences stemming from their pasts.
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Morality
The conflict between personal morals and professional duties is explored through Ray's decision to abort the mission in 1984, setting off a chain of tragic events. This theme questions the ethics of choice in life-threatening scenarios and the weight of guilt borne from these decisions.
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