"Killshot" (2008) is a thriller/drama about a mob hit-man (Mickey Rourke) who inexplicably teams-up with a twerp psycho (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). They go after a separated couple (Diane Lane & Thomas Jane) who witnessed a botched hit. Rosario Dawson is also on hand as the twerp's girlfriend.
I've heard people go on & on about how this film had post-production problems, sat on a shelf, was re-edited and whatever else. As such, they say it doesn't flow well. Don't believe it. "Killshot" is a very professionally-made film and I never got the sense that the story didn't flow, regardless of what they edited out, re-edited or what have you. The story's easy to follow and makes sense.
Mickey Rourke is always a highlight even though he essentially plays the same character, which I guess most actors do. His character in "Killshot" is the same likable, brooding one seen in "The Wrestler" (2008) and "Passion Play" (2010) with the variation that he murders people for a living. Yes, that's a big difference and it does cause the viewer to disapprove of him but it's hard to hate him, unlike his two-bit partner. Somewhat likable or not, the Rourke character HAS to pay for his misdeeds (or should).
Speaking of the twerp partner, Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines here as a scumbag with almost zero redeeming qualities. Someone does something to him at the end and you just can't help saying "THANK YOU!"
Thomas Jane is always a solid masculine protagonist as is Lane in the feminine department. The film is just as much about the potential re-establishment of their relationship as it is about the thugs trying to find them. But this is definitely a thriller/drama. You get a lot of quality drama interrupted by sudden and intense thrills.
The score's nice and atmospheric and there's a great song on the soundtrack ("Monkey" by Low).
The film was shot in Port Perry, Uxbridge and Toronto, Canada, as well as Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Detroit.
GRADE: B
