Movie Review 37 - Hit Man (2023), Dir. Richard Linklater
Hit Man follows Gary (Glenn Powell), who uses various personas to entrap individuals seeking to order hits on others. His life becomes complicated when he falls for a client named Madison (Adria Arjona).
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The film is nearly perfect, with just one notable flaw preventing it from achieving the rewatchable charm of comedies like Grown Ups or Big Momma's House.
Up until that point, Hit Man is a pleasure to watch. Glenn Powell’s portrayal of multiple characters is both humorous and captivating, showcasing his impressive acting range. His performance alone makes the film engaging.
While Gary’s role as a philosophy professor introduces ethical discussions about identity and morality, these scenes felt somewhat irrelevant and uninteresting compared to the more compelling aspects of his undercover work. The focus shifts quickly from these philosophical debates to the entertaining antics of Gary’s various disguises.
The film does a commendable job of depicting Gary’s character. One aspect I find problematic in our world is the tendency to categorize people as introverts or extroverts. In reality, an individual’s social behaviour can vary greatly depending on the situation. Although Gary is shown to be somewhat reserved at times, the film doesn’t label him as a loner, despite his evident friendships. His use of different personas is not psychopathic in my opinion but rather as a form of self-exploration. Just as we all adjust our behaviour based on how others perceive us, Gary simply takes this to an elaborate level.
The supporting cast is well-utilized, with each character, including Gary’s colleagues Claudette (Retta) and Phil (Sanjay Rao), and the antagonist Jasper (Austin Amelio), serving a clear purpose in the story. Even Gary’s ex-wife, a character I initially questioned, contributed positively to understanding Gary’s character.
The plot itself is straightforward, with no significant twists. The idea of Gary staying in character for a relationship is handled smoothly, adding to the film’s charm without feeling out of place. The costumes and accents are particularly well-executed, showcasing the design team’s talent.
However, the ending undermines the film’s overall impact. It concludes with Gary and Madison living a seemingly perfect life with no repercussions from their past actions. This resolution feels unrealistic, especially given the nature of their characters. There is a show called YOU (2018-present), where characters face similar situations leading to issues of trust and betrayal. In YOU, the consequences of such actions are explored deeply, often to extreme and unbelievable lengths, which makes the unrealistic ending of Hit Man even more disgusting. The film's conclusion seems more suited to a rom-com rather than a thriller or serious drama, diminishing its overall credibility and making it bad.
Overall, Hit Man is enjoyable up until the ending. The film provides plenty of laughs and allows Glenn Powell to shine. However, the unrealistic conclusion may diminish its overall appeal. It's a fun watch, Don't think to much, relax and enjoy. 6/10
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