Review of Killshot (2008) by Christopher S — 15 Jul 2011

Watched on July 13th, 2011.

Killshot should have had its day in court theatrically. It was a property that had been in the works for many years dating back to the mid-90s with the Weinsteins and nearly being made with a very intriguing pairing of De Niro in what is now Mickey Rourke's part of Blackbird and Quentin Tarantino in Joseph Gordon-Levitt's part of Richie Nix. And now, several years later, it comes to us direct to DVD (I believe it was in theaters for all of 2 weeks), and considering its presentation as such, without any special features (I guess not being able to get anyone to stick around for a interview, huh?) it's not that bad. At least, not as bad as one might expect.

The story is simple: hired killer with a bad rep, Blackbird, is seen by a guy (Thomas Jane) and his ex-wife(Diane Lane) at a real estate office, after an attempted shake down goes horribly wrong and he and his not-really partner/mentee low-life Richie Nix now need to go after them, because, as the line goes "she's seen my face." There's witness protection program moving, and eventually the killers follow up on their targets, yada yada. The story seems fine, on paper. But there's something curious to it not being super suspenseful or engaging all the time (though there are some exceptions, which I'll get to in a moment), and I think alot has to do with John Madden's direction. It's fine but impersonal, without a whole lot of urgency and in a few scenes seemingly phoned-in. He's a director who's made a name with romance dramas sometimes successful (Shakespeare in Love) and not (Corelli's Mandolin) and he doesn't feel at home directing something that should have been in more capable genre-director hands. I for one think the original choice, Tony Scott, would have been a more ideal candidate.

So, why the partial recommendation? Because, for the most part, the casting works. Mickey Rourke could have potentially slept-walked through the part, but there is something of a good performance kicking around, and some scenes, like his last scene of dialog with Carmen is compelling and the method he employs works, one can see Rourke sticking around Indian reservations for months for such a thankless film. Diane Lane is also very good as the scared but strong Carmen, while Thomas Jane does have some decent enough scenes at times. Rosario Dawson is regulated to a notch below a supporting role. She has a few scenes that look like they will go somewhere deeper in the film and a few where you ask yourself where did this come from. I have a feeling she was a victim of the editing room, The bright side being she wasn't totally removed like her fellow co-star Johnny Knoxville who was filmed to play a Sheriff but was removed after he perceived poorly with a "Testing Audience".

But the real keeper here is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This is an actor who has worked since he was young boy and he's gotten better to the point that his name carries some weight. In Killshot we see him dig into what could be a conventional sociopath-maniac and give him life, moments that connect, like the scene where he gives Carmen's mother a back-rub while in her house getting possible info. He, like Rourke, understand what potential there is in the material and seizes upon it. If the filmmakers were on the same page with (some) of the cast, it would be very memorable. Instead, it's something that one can feel a little bad for not making it just limited theatrically, but not that it may be forgotten in time.

Bottom Line, Killshot has it's moments and for the most part is a quick and painless film that won't disappoint you entirely, it might even entertain. I will say though, If anyone reading this is a "Joseph Gordon-Levitt" fan, Do rent or buy this flick. His performance is not one to miss like I stated above. It's a combination of Brad Pitt's "Early Grayce" from the Film "Kalifornia" and Robert De Niro's "Max Cady" from "Cape Fear".