Movie Review: 'Hit Man'

He has more than just a split personality, he has split careers and split emotions. Gary Johnson’s (Glen Powell) main career is teaching philosophy and psychology at the University of New Orleans. He only entered into his second career at the insistence of his friend Jasper (Austin Amelio), a New Orleans undercover police officer.

Jasper portrays fake hit men with the goal of soliciting confessions and payments from suspects seeking a murder-for-hire hit man. Jasper’s been suspended from the force for 120 days and wants Gary to fill-in for him. Initially, Gary wants no part of it, but finally acquiesces and joins the NOPD – working undercover as “Ron.”

With his tech knowledge and inventive spirit, Gary is a natural at his new career. He researches the prospective client before meeting with them. A change of clothes, appearance and demeanor also ensures his success with their request for a murder (recorded on Gary’s body mike) and handing over a packet of cash.

Following the initial interview, the client is taken into custody and booked at police headquarters. Easy-peasy. His next prospective client is Madison (Adria Arjona), who schedules a meeting with Ron. She wants her abusive husband killed, admits to the request and is about to handover the cash filled envelope when things go awry.

During their interview at a local coffee shop, Gary quickly becomes both sympathetic to her plight and attracted to her. He refuses to take her money suggesting she invest it in a new life. The new life he proposes is for them to eventually move in together. They quickly begin a passionate new relationship – not a good idea.

Coming out of a riotous club late one night, the two lovebirds encounter Madison’s ex-husband. He and Gary have a fight and  it only stops when Gary pulls out his gun and points it at him. War is declared. Ron’s next appointment is with a man who wants his wife eliminated. The wife in question is Madison. One can only guess who the husband is.

Not wanting to reveal his identity to the husband, the two men speak to one another back-to-back. Gary declines the request and refuses the money. No deal. The angry husband stomps off, claiming he’ll take care of it himself. Fearing for her life, Gary suggests Madison move out of her house and in with him.

Fortunately, she already has a gun. He takes her to a shooting range and teaches her how to use her weapon. “Aim for the heart when you want to kill someone,” he reminds her. “That’s lesson number one.”

It’s now 120 days later and Jasper reappears on the scene. He has been reinstated and wants Gary to retire so he can have his old job back. Gary likes his side job and doesn’t want to relinquish it.

Jasper has also come to inform Madison that her husband has been found dead - shot in the heart. The same husband who had recently significantly increased the amount of his life insurance policy. Now that the man is dead, Jasper says he feels entitled to some of the insurance money. A heated argument follows.

Directed by Richard Linklater (Credits: God Save Texas, Last Flag Flying), Hit Man runs 115 minutes and is a “see” film for a creative twisted story based on a Texas Monthly magazine article. Premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.