Story: A college professor with a side gig as an undercover agent for the New Orleans Police Department finds his simple life flipped when he encounters a woman scheming to murder her own husband.

Review: ‘Hit Man’ is a film that offers nearly two hours of pure entertainment. This quirky romantic comedy, inspired by a magazine article about a man of many talents, captivates with a smart script at its core, telling a simple yet engaging story. Centered around a college professor who also moonlights as a hitman for the New Orleans Police Department, this film makes for an entertaining watch. With a compelling premise, ‘Hit Man’ excels in fleshing out its characters and presents a straightforward, engaging plot. It pays homage to classic noir films about hitmen while blending the right amounts of quirk, comedy, romance, and a touch of sexual tension.

The plot of the film centers on Gary Johnson (Glen Powell), a Sociology and Psychology professor at the University of New Orleans. When he's not busy feeding his cats and teaching students, he works undercover for the local police department. After Jasper (Austin Amelio), a police department employee, is benched for 120 days, Gary steps in his role as a fake hitman, successfully ensuring that those plotting murders are arrested. The story takes a twist when Madison Masters (Adria Arjona) approaches Gary to kill her own husband. After setting the trap and listening to her story, Gary becomes sympathetic and advises her to leave her husband and start anew. However, trouble arises when Madison's husband is found dead. Jasper grows suspicious and decides to investigate further, turning Gary's life upside down.

The most astonishing aspect of this film is that, despite its fantastical and preposterous premise, it maintains a very realistic feel throughout. The screenplay is filled with humorous and witty dialogues, adding an extra layer of charm. While the climax may not be a complete shock, it will still surprise most viewers. ‘Hit Man’ employs a straightforward storytelling format, avoiding unnecessary complications, which enhances its appeal. Once the viewers are hooked in the first few minutes, the film effortlessly maintains its grip on their attention throughout its runtime.

Glen Powell, in the role of Gary Johnson, delivers an impressive performance, carrying the film with his arresting presence and impeccable comic timing. His chemistry with Adria Arjona is fantastic, and their scenes together are a highlight. Powell deserves full credit for portraying a layered character who, through various disguises, convincingly becomes different personas, each distinct from the other. Adria Arjona, as Madison, brings a certain oomph and sexiness to her role, successfully conveying the necessary emotions. Austin Amelio, portraying a suspended cop who is racist and misogynistic, also delivers a credible performance.

Oscar-nominated in 2015 for his direction of ‘Boyhood,’ Richard Linklater excels once again with ‘Hit Man,’ and remains a film that can be enjoyed by all age groups. While this film succeeds as a riveting crime thriller, it also elicits plenty of laughs as a comedy-drama. The classroom scenes where Gary Johnson interacts with his students, discussing human behaviour and interjecting his own experiences, showcase a clever screenplay brought to life by Linklater's skilled direction. This film features great performances, a smart script and thoughtful direction, ensuring two hours of thorough entertainment.