Summary
Hit Mandirector Richard Linklater explains how much of the film is based on a true story. The Linklater film stars Glen Powell in the role of Gary Johnson, a man who pretends to be a hit man, but in reality is a professor by day. Powell co-wrote the film with Linklater. The script ofHit Manoriginates from aTexas Monthlyarticle by Skip Hollandsworth, which tells the story of the real-life Gary Johnson. In addition to Powell,Hit Manfeatures a leading castincluding Adria Arjona, Retta, Austin Amelio, and Molly Bernard.
Speaking withComicBook.com, Linklater clarifies how accurate the movie is to the real events on which it is based. Linklater explained that he “got to know [Johnson] a little bit” for the film, ensuring thatHit Manwas from his point of view. The final film, however, took things “far beyond his own life,” extending beyond the limited scope of the article itself. Check out the full quote from Linklater below:
Oh, that’s a good question. You know, I got to know him a little bit. I just think this movie is so much his point of view, not only of her but just kind of the world, everything. So yeah, it influenced it a lot. You know, what I knew of him personally and what we gather from his life and everything. He had that view.
But I think he’d be bemused by this movie where we took it is far beyond his own life. I mean, the article about him ends when he lets her off. So everything from then on is this little thrill ride we take you on. So I don’t know, it’s pretty funny. But yeah, we’re all here for him in a way, you know.
How Is Hit Man Being Received?
Powell & Linklater Have Another Hit So Far
Hit Man’s plot is not far afield from that of another Linklater film,Bernie. Like the Powell movie,Bernieis also based on an article by Hollandsworth inTexas Monthly, and Linklater’s process was similar in that he developed a rapport with the actual subject. With the context fromLinklater’s past movies, it is interesting to see the overlap in his plot inspirations. In the case ofHit Man, it sounds like Linklater spun off the true story to a more outlandish degree.
So far,Hit Man’s handling of its story has been well-received among critics and fans alike.Hit Manhas gotten positive reviews, getting a 97% Tomatometer and a similarly impressive 95% audience approval rating. Critics are raving about the script that Powell and Linklater have put together, as well as Powell’s leading performance as Gary Johnson.
Hit Man’s 97% score situates the film as Powell’s highest-rated work in his career, coming in just aboveTop Gun: Maverick’s 96% score. For Linklater,Hit Manis not his highest rated (that honor goes toBefore Sunrise), but it is certainly in the upper echelon of his filmography. The film is also higher-rated than Linklater’s previous movie,Apollo 10 ½: A Space-Aged Childhood. However muchHit Manstrays from reality, Powell and Linklater’s scripting efforts have clearly paid off.
Hit Man
Cast
Hit Man centers on a mild-mannered professor involved in police sting operations as a fake hit man. His life spirals into chaos when he unexpectedly falls for a potential client, initiating a series of unforeseen complications and dilemmas.
