Hit Man Review

Every time I see Glen Powell I think “Ha, that’s the guy who got his face smashed into a desk by Bane”. Perhaps I should stop reducing his career down to that, as based on this performance he’s got leading man written all over him.

It’s not just the performance though. Powell has credits as producer, start, plus one for the screenplay (alongside director Richard Linklater). The story is loosely based on an article they discovered in 2001 regarding a Gary Johnson, who posed as a contract killer for the Houston police during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Gary proved successful at getting people to say the right words and handing over the money. All the more surprising considering how normal he was. Powell and Linklater take everything up a few notches as they amp up the costumes and danger of the story. It’s full of chemistry and fun, with the underlying and not subtle question of whether we are what we are, or can we choose?

The single biggest problem with Hit Man is, weirdly, Powell. Slicked back hair and a good dash of confidence can do wonders. But that’s always helped by the fact that Powell is a good looking chap. Nevertheless, he does manage to show the change/growth that Gary goes through. It’s ultimately a nit-pick, as I don’t think the film would work half as well without him. Gary’s knack is figuring out who the people he’s meeting want to see, and making that person. Powell nails that.

But what happens when he creates someone that he wants to be, and someone else wants too? “Ron” isn’t just a projection to get a conviction. It’s who Gary wants to be, at least partially. Can he be Ron and Gary? Can he keep up the lies?

As mentioned earlier, Hit Man is not a subtle film. You might take Gary being a professor of psychology and philosophy as heavy-handed. Gary’s appearance changing and the questioning of who he really is, is obvious. I don’t need to forgive it such choices, as it’s fun and kept me engaged. Powell and Arjona’s characters are both lying. But they excite one another, which only makes things trickier as they get deeper. I wanted to see how deep they went and how they’d get themselves out of it. Could they even get out? Did I want them to? That I cared, even when I disagreed, says a lot about how well put-together it all is.

Is Hit Man a deep film? No, despite asking some high-level questions about what makes us,us. What it is, is a very entertaining showcase for Powell, and that’s no bad thing.