A Shimmering Neo-Noir Existential Comedic Tale Centered around Identity: Hit Man
Curious Collaboration Breeds Spicy Thriller:
By chance, a call during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a cinematic adventure. Richard Linklater, acclaimed director known for his artful films like Boyhood and the Before trilogy, received a call from his friend, Glen Powell, star of Top Gun: Maverick and Hidden Figures. Powell had stumbled upon a Texas Monthly article from 2001 penned by Skip Hollandsworth, titled 'Hit Man'. This story, about a Houston college professor helping the police pose as a hitman, piqued Linklater's interest two decades ago.
Powell suggested that the time was ripe to revitalize the story, diving headfirst into the pandemic project. With producer Michael Costigan's help, they crafted a vision to unravel a tale brimming with comedy, noir, romance, and suspense. They sought Richard Linklater's genius to weave together these disparate threads, often conversing over phone calls and sharing a writing document.
Notably, the relationship between Gary Johnson, the strait-laced, chameleonic professor-turned-phony-hitman, and Madison, an enchanting potential criminal, takes center stage. As Madison succumbs to the allure of the enigmatic Ron, Gary's hitman persona, their intertwined lives spin out of control in a whirlwind of deception and escalating stakes.
Fluid Genres Collide in Triumph
With Linklater's track record of effortlessly traversing diverse genres, the film promised a captivating mix of noir, romance, thriller, heist, action, and comedy. Linklater marveled at the central dynamics, musing, "The story doesn't quite go anywhere" initially, but he saw potential for a body-switching comedy in the peculiar scenario.
Intriguingly, Linklater and Powell often questioned the reality of Gary's identity. Would he maintain his hitman persona, or would he reveal his true self to Madison? Such inquiries set the stage for a compelling examination of human nature and the intricate dance between pretense and authenticity.
According to Linklater, whilst the production found itself in the clutches of noir-thriller territory, they embraced it wholeheartedly, infusing a unique twist on the genre. However, the film retains a darkly comedic undertone, adding an unusual humor to a story revolving around murder.
Linklater ponders, "The traditional rules of the noir-thriller genre are that the poor schlub is either in prison or dead at the end because he can't control his passion." Yet, Gary grapples with finding and embracing his passion rather than succumbing to its destructive capabilities. The narrative challenges viewers to contemplate whether such a character deserves punishment, all while inviting them to root for Gary and Madison's happiness.
Glen affirms, "It's a fantasy at the end of the day. You want to buy into the fantasy. We made a film that is not only fun, but sexy, thrilling... this movie has it all, it even has the first sex scene in a Linklater movie - It's a perfect date movie!"
Collaboration at its Finest
For Glen, working alongside Linklater is a dream come true. Their creative process intertwined seamlessly, with shared writing duties, frequent phone calls, and collaborative writing sessions. During the writing phase, they researched real-life murder-for-hire cases, examining hours of surveillance footage, and delved into Skip Hollandsworth's research materials for the Texas Monthly article. The genuine dialogue snippets serve to immerse audiences further into this often overlooked world.
Aside from their artistic camaraderie, Linklater and Powell share a profound appreciation for each other's talents and perspectives. Glen reflects, "There's no greater joy than to be in Richard Linklater's mind and watch the way he sees the world."
The Big Easy: A Perfect Setting
New Orleans, a city steeped in history and debauchery, became the ideal backdrop for the film, mirroring Gary Johnson's effervescent personality. According to Linklater, "New Orleans is a big character in this movie... Yeah, the crime and murder rate is up, it's a lawless kind of crazy place, but you love all the people - they're great."
Powell explains that the city's diverse geography offers a myriad of settings to unravel the tangled web of Gary's life, making it the ideal playground for his complicated existence. With its diaspora of unique personalities, New Orleans serves as the perfect stage for Gary's life-altering adaptation.
In the creative process, Linklater and Powell harnessed the infectious energy of New Orleans, merging it with their writing to breathe life into the diverse settings of the movie, culminating in an immersive exploration of Gary's transformative journey. Notably, the entertainment value of their collaboration is accentuated by the fusion of genres, including comedy, noir, romance, and thriller, creating a unique cinematic spectacle reminiscent of a captivating movie or TV show.
