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<\/p>\nFor a while now, Glen Powell has largely traded on his (very) good looks. His recent cinema outing Anyone But You, proved a box office hit. But the actor spreads his wings somewhat as an undercover agent in Richard Linklater\u2019s Hit Man. I say \u201csomewhat\u201d because he still can\u2019t entirely escape his genetic gifts in this rather crazy blend of romance and crime.<\/p>\n
The film is loosely based on the real-life adventures of Gary Johnson, a professor and (bizarrely) undercover agent for the police. The story was first told as a long-form piece in the magazine Texas Monthly by Skip Hollandsworth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater and Powell. This collaboration proves a reunion for Hollandsworth and Linklater after Bernie (2011). That film – also based on a true story reported by Hollandsworth – has a similar vibe to Hit Man. Although the real events took place in Texas, the film transplants the tale to New Orleans.<\/p>\n
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At the start of the film Gary (Powell) is a psychology professor at a New Orleans university. He\u2019s socially awkward and a bit of a loner, but good at what he does. He also helps out the police department with covert recordings of suspects trying to hire hitmen. The scenario is a sting, since the \u201chitmen\u201d don\u2019t exist. They\u2019re police officers pretending to be guns for hire. However one day the regular officer, Jasper (Austin Amelio), doesn\u2019t show. With the suspect getting antsy, lead officer Claudette (Retta) presses Gary into the role. Surprisingly, he\u2019s a natural. He\u2019s soon the number one choice, even after Jasper\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Things take a turn though when Gary, posing as a hit man named Ron, meets with Madison (Adria Arjona). She\u2019s trying to escape an abusive spouse and in desperation has turned to possible murder as a solution. Madison and Gary click. Perhaps realising Madison will go to jail if she \u201chires\u201d him, Gary convinces her murder isn\u2019t the way. Soon their relationship blossoms into romance. Only trouble is that Madison is in love with \u201cRon\u201d, not the nerdy Gary. How long can Gary live a lie? A confluence of circumstances will test the limits of Gary\u2019s personal and professional lives.<\/p>\n
For the most part, Hit Man is a compelling and enjoyable crime dramedy. My reservation is about the final scenes which (as the filmmakers admit in a coda) didn\u2019t actually happen and seem out of synch with the remainder of the film. It almost felt like they couldn\u2019t find a suitable ending so just went for the most extreme option. The jarring conclusion aside, the film still has a lot to offer. High on that list is a rollicking soundtrack of New Orleans-influenced music (which might have something to do with the change of scene).<\/p>\n