Hit Man Movie Review

  

Hit Man

Synopsis: Gary a professor who is a moonlighting hit man gets into hot water when he is attracted to a new client.

Director: Richard Linklater

Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona & Retta

Runtime: 1 hour 55 mins

Genre:  Rom-Com Noir

Hit Man, released on Netflix today is loosely inspired by an unbelievable true story, and based on a 2001 Texas Monthly magazine article of the same name by Skip Hollandsworth.

Helmed by seasoned director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Last Flag Flying & School of Rock). The streaming service picked up the movie for $20M after it premiered to a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and TIFF. 

This movie marks the fourth collaboration between long standing friends Powell and Linklater.

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Gary Johnson (Powell) is a buttoned down college psychology professor who has a side job of being the tech guy for the Houston police force on undercover stings. One day he is forced onto the front line to act as a fake hit man to get money and a confession out of a criminal. He soon discovers he has a hidden talent for it and happily don's different disguises and aliases to help the police. Then one day he meets a new client, Maddy (Arjona) who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight and mixed-up identities.

My overall thoughts...

I enjoyed Hit Man, it's a solid film just not a great one. The movie never quite hits the heights I thought it would (I'd heard nothing but positive vibes). Powell though is in full movie-star mode and is well matched by Adria Arjona. They have great chemistry.

It's an entertaining dark screwball comedy that is twisty as it is sexy. It's character not action driven. It also has shades of crime noir classics such as Double Indemnity with a sharp script from Linklater, Powell and Hollandsworth himself.

Cast

Thanks to projects such as Devotion, Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, Glen Powell's star is in the stratosphere. The 36 year old Texan looking 100% the movie star he is, will next be headlining in this summer's windy remake Twisters in July. In Hit Man, Powell is fantastic. It's a sign of not only a great actor but that he is Hollywood's new leading man that his chemistry with Arjona is as sizzling as it was with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You. The chemistry between Ray (Sorry Gary) and Maddy is central to the movie. 

Whilst Powell is rightly known as a good looking guy, in Hit Man he has many disguises and even went as far as to turn up to set in disguise fooling cast and crew alike. The movie is a fantastic showcase of his comedic talents.  

The movie is at it's best when Gary starts to tailor his look to each contract, insnaring disgruntled housewives, business partners in admitting to (and paying for) their other halves to be killed off. 

Starring alongside Powell is Adria Arjona (Andor). The 32 year old Puerto Rican beauty gives as good as she get's with Powell and more than holds her own. She is absolutely gorgeous and it was great to see her lighter side after the heavier role in Andor. 

On screen Action

As this is a character and story based movie, there is little to no action in the traditional sense. So if you are going in thinking it's a gun toting exciting action comedy you will be in for a shock. This movie is on the page, not on the stage.

Sound and Effects

Hand-in-hand with on screen action is the general lack of effects in the movie. Whilst there would have been a some element of special effects and VFX they are minimal. Sound design was good. 

Music and Score

Graham Reynolds provides the score which I enjoyed and helped keep the proceedings light and not become to heavy.

A sexy & twisty dark screwball comedy that is a showcase for Powell's considerable talent and charm. Adria Arjona is also a delight. Whilst it's not quite as good as I'd hoped, you'd do well to have it on your hit list.

Verdict  - Good not Great