Hit Man Review: Breezy Comedy Is Richard Linklater’s Cure For What Ails Movies

I’d be surprised if it was intended this way, but I can’t help but see Hit Man as Richard Linklater’s response to today’s state-of-the-movies discussions. It addresses at least three of the major talking points: the dirth of feature-length comedies; the vacuum of young movie stars; and the absence of sex in mainstream cinema. Its acquisition by Netflix after lighting up festivals has been met with dismay from the critical community, because it could’ve tackled a fourth: the lack of non-franchise, non-family targeted options in theaters. No matter – I believe this film will find success however it releases. Hit Man is funny, engrossing, sexy, and thoughtful. As well as it plays to a packed audience, I have no doubt it’ll deliver as the pick for movie night at home, though I would at least recommend getting together a few people you’d enjoy laughing with before queuing it up.