Director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, School of Rock) and his co-writer/star Glen Powell have taken a real person’s life and spun it into an amusing, black comedy that signals Powell as a rising, talented star.
Gary Johnson (Powell) is a nerdy teacher who works part time for the police as a techie, but a sudden need for an undercover operative thrusts him into the role of a phony hit man who responds to those individuals needing to kill someone. What Gary comes to realize is that he has a knack for this police work and is quite convincing in his masquerade which results in multiple arrests, but when he meets an unhappy woman, Madison (Adria Arjona), contemplating murder, he becomes smitten. The more he becomes involved with her, things become increasingly complicated and potentially dangerous.
The film depicts a gallery of potential criminals drawn from all walks of life, and it affords Gary the opportunity to take on a wide array of characters and disguises. The contrast is stark between his plain persona and tough guy, and Powell excels in this chameleon-like transformation morphing his appearance for a multitude of roles. Significantly, the sexual chemistry between Powell and Arjona is palpable and becomes the centerpiece of the narrative while raising the stakes. The questions become, “How far will Gary go?” and “Will he cross the line?”
There
are film noir elements that recall Body
Heat and Hitchcock themes of amorality in
putting the audience in the questionable position of rooting for two potential
criminals who risk discovery. This
is essentially a small, independent film with an interesting, yet simple
premise (and a sense of humor) that allows an up and coming star a role to run
with. Powell not only runs but
flies.
****1/2
of ***** stars on Netflix
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