Hit Man (2023)

Hit Man (2023). 1h 55m | R

“Hitman is definitely a film-loveru0026#39;s paradise but even the casual film viewer will thoroughly enjoy this brilliant new movie. Linklateru0026#39;s latest lovingly pays homage to film noir, screwball comedy, Hitchcockian black comedy and even the good old psychosexual drama but it still somehow manages to conjure up a fresh, witty and often uproarious confection that frequently teases, delights and occasionally thrills the audience with frissons of excitement, keeping them enraptured all the way to its deliciously razor sharp ending.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is potentially a star-making turn for Glen Powell. Although he made a strong impression in Top Gun: Maverick as a cocky rival pilot, his role in Hit Man is easily more complex and, as the co-writer of the script, he has been able to add brilliant layers to his character, or should that be characters? In effect, Powell is playing more than one character – Gary Johnson, mild-mannered, cat-loving geeky Psychology professor and audio techie who moonlights as a surveillance expert for a Louisana-based police unit that targets and stings hapless neu0026#39;er-do-wells who are looking to hire a killer. Before the next sting operation, Garyu0026#39;s police colleague Jasper (Austin Amelio) who normally pretends to be the hired killer is suspended for brutally attacking two youths, which forces Garyu0026#39;s colleagues (brilliantly played by Retta and Sanjay Rao) into convincing Gary to take over from the universally loathed Jasper, much to Garyu0026#39;s dismay. Yet, within minutes of taking on the task, Gary suddenly morphs into u0026quot;Ronu0026quot; and during his first sting he is so convincing that his colleagues are shocked, even though they had believed he could do it having heard Jasper go through the rigamarole on previous occasions. It is a brilliant piece of acting.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHaving created the killer persona, Gary soon finds himself becoming more and more immersed in Ron, adding further, chameleon-like layers of disguise and character traits to mirror whoever is about to be stung. However, things become really complicated (in true film noir style) when u0026quot;Ronu0026quot; is approached by a femme fatale, Maddy (beautifully played by Adria Ajrona who also adds a delightfully a kooky sexy edge as well as a tender vulnerability). As the sparks between the two begin to fly during a hilarious but flirty exchange, Gary, who is clearly enjoying himself as Ron, finds himself conflicted. Dare he. As Ron, continue with the sting and have Maddy arrested for plotting to murder her husband? Has the flirtatious exchange caused Maddy to betray some regrets about what she is doing? The chemistry between Powell and Arjona is a pleasure to witness. Both actors bring out the best in one another and it is thrilling.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOff-beat is an expression that would certainly apply to Hit Man – and it is a compliment. It is also one of the most enjoyable and fun 2 hours Iu0026#39;ve had in the cinema in the past few years. I absolutely adore this film.”