Hit Man

Gary Johnson (Glen Powell) is one of the most sought after hitmen in Houston. The problem is that there is no such thing as a hitman and if you are speaking to Gary Johnson you are likely to be going to prison as he records your request to murder someone for the police. 

Based very loosely on a true story inspired by a 2001 article by Skip Hollandsworth in Texas Monthly this film is the sort of breezy romantic comedy that has charm to spare but does not necessarily get my juices running. 

Co-written by star Glen Powell and director Richard Linklater the film powers through its near two-hour runtime with lots of funny set pieces and quirky moments. Powell, whose star power is unmistakable (see Top Gun Maverick & Anyone But You) has a whale of a time as the slightly dull professor who accidentally finds his calling pretending to be a hitman for the Houston police. Researching his victims and putting on costumes and accents in order to put them at ease and incriminate themselves. The twist comes when he gives an abused housewife named Madison (Adria Arjona) a pass when undercover. 

They immediately take a liking to each other and the result is a love affair with a very real confusion over identity that is muddled even further when the jilted husband starts making threats. 

As Johnson is a psychology professor there is some intriguing conversation of how the Id and Superego are controlled by the Ego. And the question of whether someone can truly change their personality is posed. But the main focus is very much a light hearted romantic comedy with a bit of a twist. 

What is especially fun about Powell and Linklater’s screenplay is that they have fun with the parts of the film where they deviate from the true story and signpost this for the audience. 

Linklater has made some astounding films and Powell is a real movie star. This film is amiable and breezy. But bizarrely for me that was all it was. Thoroughly entertaining but not something I imagine I will find myself returning to.