Loosely based on the Texas Monthly article by Skip Hollandsworth, ‘Hit Man’ is a black comedy that follows Garry Johnson (Glen Powell) a philosophy professor moonlighting as a hit man for the local police department.
Depicted as an enthusiastic teacher, Garry spends most of his time by himself, working as a tech expert for the police department, reading, bird watching and taking care of his cats. Feeling stuck, an opportunity presents itself for Gary to go undercover to garner solicitations for assassinations. Quickly easing into the role, he discovers a natural talent and penchant for the job.
Tailoring individual personas to the suspects, Gary devises ‘Ron’ before meeting Madison (Adria Arjona) a discontent wife seeking to kill her husband. Straying from the solicitation and the normal course of business, Gary advises Madison to leave her spouse and star anew. Breaking the established clean-cut character of Gary, ‘Hit Man’ delivers an unexpected turn, as the man breaks professional norms and begins an affair with Madison.
Powell and Arjona interact with such ease that the improbable situation they find themselves in seems more enjoyable rather than opening itself up to carping. The romance does succumb to some of the genre tropes, yet the actors deliver a genuine connection, inviting the audience to root for them. The chemistry between the two leads is what keeps the story afloat, even when the more improbable events start occurring.
When things inevitably go awry, the film pleasantly surprises, as Madison’s husband Ray (Evan Holtzman) approaches Gary to take a hit out on her. Informing her of the situation, Gary tells her to leave. Madison has different plans as she takes maters into her own hands and kills Ray. Not toying with the audience, Madison quickly confesses to Gary, ho in turn reveals his true identity.
Delivering a more humorous than dramatic reveal, the film successfully carries a lively ans suspenseful tone as we get to enjoy watching the two main characters play the hand their dealt and work a way out of the situation.
Fun and uninhibited, the film embraces its fictitious side and leans into some of the more absurd and dreamed up elements added to Gary Johnson’s actual life story. Yet, it manages to create a purely entertaining experience, not devolving into an absolute farce, rather tying the story up with underlying thoughts on regret and guilt, with an overlay of the love shared between Gary and Madison, conquering all.
A successful endeavor by Richard Linklater, the film is an exciting joy to watch as he and Powell have developed an implausible yet exhilarating narrative, incorporating elements from the real world and accentuating the more absurd and bizarre turns in which Gary Johnson’s story may have ended up.
Score: 4/4
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