Tonight on TV: This sexy comedy, new in theaters, is one of the best films of the year

Hitman finally on our screens

It’s one of those behind-the-scenes mysteries of film distribution. Cinema, television, VOD or SVOD… Today, a film does not systematically arrive on a big cinema screen and there are several options for watching it. And sometimes there can be unpleasant surprises, like a film that is not available for streaming in France while it is in other territories, or another that skips the cinema to arrive directly on television and VOD. This is what happened in France for Richard Linklater’s new film, Hitman.

Hitmanco-written by Richard Linklater and Glen Powell, the latter in the title role, premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, where it was very well received. So well received that Netflix rushed to acquire the distribution rights for many countries, but not France. At the time, it was SND that presented itself as the film’s distributor in French theaters. But a year later, whenHitman It has been shown on Netflix and in theaters in several countries, it is active Channel+ which is making its French “premiere”, deprived of a theatrical release and, for the moment, distribution on a streaming platform.

This situation raises questions because, despite its caliber of “minor” film and its flavor of light summer comedy, Hitman It is led by two stars, Glen Powell and Adria Arjona, and displays effective humor and an expert mastery of the genre of black and romantic comedy.

A great romantic crime comedy

Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), a philosophy professor at the University of New Orleans, supplements his income by serving as an undercover assistant for the police, posing as a pawn of the killer so that the perpetrators of the murders will be incriminated. One day he meets a woman, Madison (Adria Arjona), who is abused and beaten by her husband, and who wants to get rid of him. Under the spell, Gary will go against all procedures…

It is on an ultimately classical idea that it develops Hitmanforming a romantic couple from a lie: Madison thinks Gary, who then poses as the handsome boy and hitman Ron, is really a murderer, when it is exactly the opposite. But because she is seduced by Ron, Gary will keep this identity and maintain a passionate relationship with her. Until things get out of hand…

Glen Powell and Adria Arjona lead the way

Terribly sexy, Hitman owes much of its charm to the plastic performance of its two main actors, the magnificent Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. The actress, all dark and mischievous, fixes her black eyes on those of Glen Powell as on those of the audience with a seduction so self-confident that one cannot resist. Glen Powell, in the role of “Ron”, abuses and abuses his devastating smile, all the more seductive as he himself is seduced by the character of Adria Arjona. He is therefore incredibly “lovable” because he loves and is loved by Madison. Their love at first sight is dazzling, obvious, and several slightly undressed scenes remind us that we can, with intelligence, sincerity and without too much fuss, make an erotic moment joyful and intoxicating.

Co-author of the screenplay, Glen Powell benefits from it Hitman to show all his talent. He disguises himself as different characters, changes his voice and his attitudes. He proves himself funny, intelligent and stupid, self-confident and embarrassed… A real act of acting that confirms his great talent and fuels his rapid rise in the American film industry.

A comedy combined with a beautiful reflection on love and death

Without revealing the simultaneously terrifying and funny mechanics in which the couple Ron/Gary and Madison find themselves trapped, Hit Man also distinguishes itself by offering a reflection on the identity of an individual, and on how death and love play a leading role in this definition. Sexy, funny and brilliant, Hitman thus rejects the common superficiality of the romantic comedy genre to offer a surprising depth to its subject and, as such, navigates troubled moral waters. A total success, particularly acclaimed by the American public and press: Hitman has a tomato meter 95% and a popcorn meter 91% ON Rotten tomatoes.

Source: Cine Serie

Ray

Ray Ortiz is a journalist at Gossipify, known for his coverage of trending news and current events. He is committed to providing readers with accurate and unbiased reporting, and is respected for his ability to keep readers informed on the latest news and issues.