Years before Hannah Arendt coined the phrase ‘the banality of evil’, classic crime films depicted the hit man as an abstract symbol of evil, much like Nazis in political movies. This Gun for Hire (1942) and Murder by Contract (1958) featured such characters, becoming iconic representations within film noir.
A prime virtue of Richard Linklater’s new film, Hit Man, is that it takes a fascinating approach by featuring no traditional hit man at all. Instead, it’s centered on a character who adopts an array of personas, including that of a hit man. Linklater delves deep into illusions and imaginations around this archetype, navigating the less-explored psychological terrain.
The Story Behind Hit Man
Linklater’s Hit Man is based on a 2001 article of the same name written by Skip Hollandsworth and published in Texas Monthly magazine.
It tells the story of Gary Johnson, portrayed by Glen Powell. Powell describes Gary as a person “who loves ornithology, audio A/V equipment, and is passionate about little.”
The movie updates the real-life events to the present day New Orleans where Gary, a professor of philosophy and psychology, becomes involved with local police by using his technical skills to operate surveillance equipment. His transformation into a hitman persona captures the audience’s imagination.
A Unique Transformation
The narrative takes a captivating twist when Gary steps into the role of an undercover hit man following the suspension of an officer. During one operation, his instant thrill at the act of deception becomes evident.Gary proves to be a quick study, tailoring his demeanor to win the client’s trust.
Creating distinct hitman personalities, such as a black-clad Eastern European or a folksy skeet shooter, Gary impresses his colleagues with a breezy virtuosity.
A Challenging Encounter with Madison
A pivotal moment arises when Gary meets Madison Figueroa Masters (Adria Arjona), who wants him to kill her abusive husband. As they meet at a restaurant under his suave alter-ego Ron, their interaction soon morphs into something resembling a date. Ultimately,Ron persuades Madison not to hire him
, further complicating Gary’s situation when suspicions arise after Madison’s husband is found dead.
The Psychological Depth
Linklater’s direction keeps Hit Man brisk and engrossing while also fleshing out Gary’s psyche through voice-overs. Similarly,Arjona beautifully conveys both desperation and impulsiveness
, creating subtle yet charged chemistry with Powell.
Hit Man explores how Greg’s portrayal threatens his identity, revealing poignant reasons behind his drive. Conversations with his ex-wife suggest how drastically people can alter personalities with coaching.
An Exciting Climax Despite Hasty Wrap-Up
The film’s climax embodies masterful deception; however, it rushes parts of Greg’s backstory that would deepen his character—omissions that somewhat detract fromoverall impact.
Citations sourced from user provided research material: Glen Powell’s statements and Linklater’s quotes.
Follow Us
