‘Hit Man’ Really Creeps Up On You
By: Russ Matthews
Richard Linklater is a name that does not roll off the average moviegoer’s tongue.
Still, for those who love film, his name is most likely associated with one or more of your favourite films. From Dazed and Confused to Boyhood to Before Sunrise, this writer/director has never been defined by the industry, but he continues to rewrite how films can be made. Hit Man doesn’t seem like a typical project for this creative mind until one digs in and realises that it is based on a story by screenwriter/journalist Skip Hollandsworth (Bernie) and one of the hottest actors in Hollywood, Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick).
Based loosely on the bizarre true life of a university professor turned undercover fake hitman, Gary Johnson (Powell). He works behind the scenes to assist with the electronic surveillance of law enforcement who hope to capture individuals trying to hire someone to kill a person in their lives. Then, one day, the introverted cat-lover is asked to fill in for another undercover agent and discovers he has a gift for getting people to confess to their crimes.
Gary proves to be one of the most successful agents for the New Orleans Police Department until he tries to help an abused wife, Maddy Masters (Adria Arjona), who is hoping to get out of her difficult marriage. This leads to a tangled web of deception and romance as the pair fall for one another despite their relationship being based on a lie and potential murder.
In the hands of an average filmmaker, Hit Man would be another comedic action story, but that isn’t the case when in the hands of Linklater. Each aspect of this story adds depth to each character that would be relatively predictable if not allowed to twist into something unprecedented within this genre. Glen Powell can show his writing and acting skills pushed to the limit as his character tries to survive under the pressure of multiple personas and personal insecurities. Skip Hollandsworth’s original discovery of Gary Johnson’s tale of crime fighting and philosophy makes for one of modern cinema’s most conflicted and appealing protagonists.
There is an ingenuousness to the premise that makes it accessible for the average viewer, except once you are in the story, it is impossible to believe that this is about to unfold before your eyes. The beauty within the simplicity of this storyline allows for the brilliance to creep up and make itself known at just the right time. The ingenuity of this mix of comedy, romance, ideology and morality makes Hit Man worth uncovering and enjoying with those who love quality entertainment.
REEL DIALOGUE: How do you find your moral centre?
In amongst the humour, romance, and action of the storyline, Hit Man opens the door to the discussion of morality. There is no real moral ambiguity in this plot line, as the title would suggest. As Gary and law enforcement do their best to bring about justice, the overall show shows how the lines within the interpretation of the law can become quite blurred.
In this world where everyone has an opinion about every moral topic, it has become critical to figure out how to answer the philosophical question of where to place our moral beliefs. One consideration should be to study the example and the words of Jesus. He is not merely a moral teacher but a life changer. Considering his life and death will start a journey of determining how to define mortality and life. The Bible is the best place to find where the lines can be drawn on justice and morality… there is no reason to live with the ambiguity that this world provides.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. – Romans 13:1-7
Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.
All images: Movie publicity
About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.
