Review of Killshot (2008) by Matt A — 13 May 2010

Based on the Elmore Leonard ("Get Shorty," "Out of Sight") novel, "Killshot" features some great actors in a plot that although is pretty basic is yet still interesting. Think of it as "Did You Hear About The Morgans?," only deadly serious! The best thing about this film is Mickey Rourke's performance -- even more proof that the man can act (if "The Wrestler" wasn't evidence enough)! One of my favorite actors, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, portrays the young, cocky, naive, idiotic criminal who befriends Rourke's hit man with the hopes that he can learn the ropes by accompanying him on his mission to "take care of" an estranged couple that witnessed his face on a botched robbery job.

The bad thing about this film was the usual mistakes made by characters in this kind of film. Gordon-Levitt's character is so annoying, it's basically a relief when his screen time comes to an end. And Thomas Jane and Diane Lane's estranged couple suddenly find themselves attracted to each other again when their lives are in danger (an overused plot device). I've never been too crazy about Rosario Dawson and her role in this could've been played by any actress. "Killshot" was a decent film that falls a little short making it easy to understand why it was released straight-to-video. Nevertheless, it's a film any Mickey Rourke fan should not miss.