If you like slow-moving 'thrillers' with darkly lit fight sequences, set to the sound of Morrissey bemoaning the miseries of life, then this is the movie for you. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me. And for a number of reasons (Not a huge Smiths fan, but at least that part was tolerable).
First of all, the audience has no reason to care about the lead character. He's fastidious in preparation and philosophy, but woefully incompetent in practice. You might have thought that would engender pity, if nothing else. But the snail's pace and the all-too-convenient plot progressions (when they periodically appear) had me looking at my watch far sooner than any audience member ought have to do. I was put in mind of "The Mechanic" which also begins quite slowly. But in that film, the filmmakers had the sense to keep Charles Bronson quiet throughout the opening preparations, and not narrate his deep thoughts about life.
The existential quandary of a blundering professional killer might have worked if it had been played as parody. The running gag of the fake IDs kind of gives that feeling (after all how can someone who plans so carefully, possibly leave a trail of receipts with the names of 70s and 80s TV stars, and NOT expect to be tracked?). But there's nothing else to indicate humor. Except perhaps unintentionally. There is a ludicrous, dimly lit fight scene with may actually benefit from the audience not really seeing much of it. I suspect it would have looked even more ridiculous with good lighting.
First of all, the audience has no reason to care about the lead character. He's fastidious in preparation and philosophy, but woefully incompetent in practice. You might have thought that would engender pity, if nothing else. But the snail's pace and the all-too-convenient plot progressions (when they periodically appear) had me looking at my watch far sooner than any audience member ought have to do. I was put in mind of "The Mechanic" which also begins quite slowly. But in that film, the filmmakers had the sense to keep Charles Bronson quiet throughout the opening preparations, and not narrate his deep thoughts about life.
The existential quandary of a blundering professional killer might have worked if it had been played as parody. The running gag of the fake IDs kind of gives that feeling (after all how can someone who plans so carefully, possibly leave a trail of receipts with the names of 70s and 80s TV stars, and NOT expect to be tracked?). But there's nothing else to indicate humor. Except perhaps unintentionally. There is a ludicrous, dimly lit fight scene with may actually benefit from the audience not really seeing much of it. I suspect it would have looked even more ridiculous with good lighting.