Wild Target (2010)

A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans.

Director:

Jonathan Lynn

Writers:

Lucinda Coxon (screenplay), Pierre Salvadori (film "Cible émouvante")

Stars:

Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Nighy	...	Victor Maynard
Emily Blunt	...	Rose
Rupert Grint	...	Tony
Rupert Everett	...	Ferguson
Eileen Atkins	...	Louisa Maynard
Martin Freeman	...	Hector Dixon
Gregor Fisher	...	Mike
Geoff Bell	...	Fabian
Rory Kinnear	...	Gerry Bailey
Duncan Duff	...	Jeweller
Graham Seed	...	Appraiser
James O'Donnell	...	Barney (as James O'Dee)
George Rainsford	...	Waiter
Alexis Rodney	...	First Hotel Receptionist
Sia Berkeley	...	Smart Hotel Receptionist

Storyline

Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring in the process a young apprentice, Tony. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

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Plot Keywords:

thief | assassin | apprentice | kleptomaniac | hitman | 

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Taglines:

They said 'Take her out'. He got the wrong idea.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexual content and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

Agrios stohos

Filming Locations:

Baconsfield Terrace Road, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$23,174 (USA) (29 October 2010)

Gross:

$117,190 (USA) (10 December 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Magic Light Pictures, CinemaNX, Isle of Man Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character played by Bill Nighy holds guns with just a thumb and middle finger, with his index on the trigger. This unusual grip is because he suffers from Dupuytren's contracture, which means he can't straighten the ring and little fingers on each hand.

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Goofs

(at around 35 mins) As Victor is leaning back against the brick wall with the headphones on you can clearly see that the wall is painted to appear to be brick but is not actually brick.

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Quotes

[Ferguson is in traction]
Hector Dixon: How is your assistant?
[He indicates Mike, who is lying in a coma next to Ferguson]
Ferguson: They want to turn him off.
Hector Dixon: Hmm... think that might be for the best.
Ferguson: No, he's been paid through the end of the month. And anyway, he's company.

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Connections

Remake of Cible émouvante (1993)

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Soundtracks

All Over Me
Written by Pete Simpson, Bennett Holland, Scott Moncrieff & Tom Bell
Performed by Pete Simpson & Bennett Holland
Published by Westbury
Courtesy of Pete Simpson

User Reviews

Interesting and thoroughly enjoyable

While others seem to have found the film a letdown, I found it quite the opposite, expecting it to be an overly quirky and trying too hard to be different, a flaw with many smaller British and independent film today. Wild Target stuck to old formulas. this is not a criticism this film is not trying to be as serious as Leon instead it was enjoyable because you knew what was going to happen all along really the joy was the bedlam that gets you there. Its slapstick and camp and just plain silly.

I agree with danielkratky, it is a silly love story that despite your better judgement is in the end believable you just have to be willing to Wild target is a short film and to expect it to develop the characters beyond what is done is not needed, there's the good, the bad and the gormless and because of this it lulls you along with a nice wistful story of murder and mayhem rapt in some good over the top acting from everyone.

Grint whom I loath as Ron in harry potter made good in this film, despite still playing the slightly clueless tag-along.

if you want a serious look at a hit-man changing his life then go and watch The American or by Leon on DVD.

(solid_simon may i suggest that you were the only person in the screening hence the lack of laughter)