Lamar Reviews - "Hit Man" (Airdate 8/23/2024)

I can’t get enough of Glen Powell; he just keeps getting better. He was good in Top Gun: Maverick, and he made Anyone But You a way better movie than it should have been. He’s got that everyman quality that allows him to be handsome and hot, goofy and sweet, arrogant, aloof, and dangerous. And he co-wrote this movie with director Richard Linklater.

This movie is loosely based on the true story of Gary Johson a college professor who posed as a contract killer for the Houston police during the late 1980s and 90s. He became the most sought-after professional killer in Houston, and his undercover investigations led to more than sixty arrests. The people he worked with said Gary could turn himself into whatever he needs to be in whatever situation he finds himself in. He fooled them every time.

In the movie of course there is a lot more “Hollywood” added to the story.

Glen Powell plays Gary and in voice offer discusses the fallacy that people have about the existence of professional hitmen running around waiting to be hired the kill somebody for a few thousand bucks. But a lot of people believe that they truly exist, if not, Dateline would not exist.

In the movie, Gary really starts to get into his role as a hitman. He starts coming up with all kinds of disguises, costumes and accents, that he matches for each client. He is knocking em’ down right and left until he meets Maddy Masters, played by Adria Arjona. It is easily one of the best top 5 “meet-cutes” I’ve ever seen. When she explains why she needs her violent estranged husband Ray, played by Evan Holtzman, killed, Gary is immediately sympathetic and does not want her to get into trouble. Gary talks her out of hiring him and sends her on her way. The police are not happy. They wind up running into each other and Gary has to decide whether or not to tell her who he really is or keep playing the cool dangerous hitman.

The movie is 5 minutes shy of 2 hours, Rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.

Again, I had read nothing about this movie, I just watched it. I was thinking an actual “Hit Man movie”, and I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone in the movie did a great job, especially Gary’s surveillance team Jasper and Claudette, played by Austin Amelio, and Park and Recreation’s Retta. They were very funny.

This has been out on Netflix for a few months, but I never got around to watching it. If you haven’t got around to it, don’t wait another minute. It is really a cute and funny movie; you won’t be disappointed.

If you like this don’t miss the new Twisters, starring, guess who? Glen Powell. Yeah, I’m obsessed!

My Score: A full 6-Pack of ice-cold Bud