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“The Hitman’s Bodyguard”: A Bromantic, Shoot-Em-Up Comedy
By Sandra Olmsted
Samuel L. Jackson plays the hitman, Darius Kincaid, and Ryan Reynolds plays his bodyguard, Michael Bryce, in a caper that’s part spy thriller and part buddy-film bromance. Kincaid can charm his way through anything while Bryce annoys people, and both can think on their feet while being shot at by a host of international killers. The problem is not only history between the men, but the women they love.
In exchange for the release of his beloved wife, Sonia (played by Salma Hayek as deliciously angry and easily ignited), Kincaid has agreed to testify in the trail of genocidal leader Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman). Bryce still loves Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung), an Interpol agent involved in Kincaid’s transport to the Hague’s international court; unfortunately, Bryce blames Amelia for an assassination on his watch that caused his fall from being the top private protection agent in the world.
Aside from the problems between Kincaid and Bryce, there’s the international plot to prevent Kincaid from testifying and the Belarusian thugs determined to kill Kincaid and everyone in their way.
Jackson and Reynolds have terrific chemistry and deliver great performances. Hayek is delightful as Sonia even if the character is a cliche fiery Hispanic, and Yung, who has less to do on paper, is a presence with promise. The cast, the humor, and the action carry the film.
There’s not much more story or many un-telegraphed plot twists, yet there’s plenty of fun in director Patrick Hughes and screenwriter Tom O’Connor’s film. Wild, eye-popping stunt work, incredible shoot-outs, and narrow, inventive escapes contrast deliciously with Kincaid and Bryce’s constant banter about love and work and the budding, but unlikely, bromance between Jackson’s Kincaid and Reynolds’ Bryce.
As both a screwball comedy and a blood-spattered, action thriller, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, a Lionsgate release, is a wild ride on the buddy-film roller coaster. Rated R for strong violence and language throughout and running a very quick 118 minutes, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is in theaters now and designed purely as escapism.
