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I don't know about you, but I often find myself thinking that many people I've met over the years aren't really as they seem. Behind appearances, who knows what twisted personality might be hiding. This thought came back to me after watching the film "Hit man - Killer for a Day," a lively-paced movie that smoothly goes on for two hours, rekindling the viewer's love for the magic of cinema.
The director Richard Linklater draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of Gary Johnson (a real person) and, aside from some purely fictional variations, crafts a film of intense action that's not devoid of existential themes. The protagonist, Gary Johnson (brilliantly portrayed by Glen Powell), is a philosophy professor at a university in New Orleans who conducts a course dedicated to analyzing what is considered to be the so-called personality. Defining it unambiguously is almost impossible, as who we are is influenced by the general context, affecting our becoming. Essentially, we are entities in constant change, and we contribute to our evolution, especially because we are not averse to challenging ourselves, stepping out of our comfort zone.
A straightforward theory, but if you stop at appearances, Professor Johnson seems like a dull man, driving a generic Ford, immersed in his studies while taking care of the beloved kittens at home. However, to supplement his income, he collaborates with the police as an IT consultant. One day, due to an unexpected emergency, he is employed to replace a policeman who operates as a fake killer to approach and trap, in the act of offering a substantial sum, the instigators of some murder. The baptism by fire goes perfectly, and the unsuspecting professor racks up successes galore, proving to be adept at assuming different guises.
But the day he meets a certain Maddy (played here by the fiery Adria Arjona), a beautiful woman in the process of divorcing who harbors homicidal desires towards her ex-husband, Gary doesn't feel like proceeding with the usual professional routine and effectively advises her to let it go. It seems that a connection has sparked between the two, which will later generate a cascade of unexpected consequences that I won't reveal, as the strength of the film lies precisely in its ability to stump even the most savvy viewers.
A comedy pace is guaranteed, drawing from what a real person experienced; it unfolds the infinite turns one might encounter in daily life if one steps out of the routine. Sure, as a fake killer, you meet desperate and embittered people (not only in the USA...), and after various adventures, you might question the personality of each one of us.
Not bad for a comedy that might seem light, but knows how to provoke healthy reflection, as was in the cinematic style of a great like Billy Wilder. And yet, it's a reminder not to take for granted the first impression generated by those we know superficially. The so-called neighbor might be hiding something incredible (and maybe someone not at all commendable...).
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