Details
Movie Description
Cinematic hit men are dual-edged characters who can easily slip into the role of hero or villain, making them an attractive proposition for directors looking to pack an emotional punch. YOU KILL ME stars Ben Kingsley (SEXY BEAST) as Frank Falenczyk, a hit man whose work for the Buffalo-based Mafia has been hampered by his hopeless alcoholism. Director John Dahl (THE LAST SEDUCTION) sends his lead character off to San Francisco where Alcoholics Anonymous awaits, as does Dave (Bill Pullman), who helps Frank get an apartment and a job in a mortuary. The job introduces Frank to Laurel (Téa Leoni), whom he begins a relationship with while occasionally falling off the wagon and attending AA meetings. Luke Wilson makes an appearance as a fellow alcoholic who mentors Frank through the program.
YOU KILL ME is a wonderful return to form for Dahl, who has struggled to build on his early, noir-inflected career. Kingsley is as reliable as ever in the central role, and he demonstrates an impressive array of emotions as the film progresses. Credit is also due to co-screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely who deliver a tight and hugely enjoyable plot while also adding generous doses of dark humor throughout. Intelligent and fun, YOU KILL ME is likely to gain a strong word-of-mouth reputation as viewers are lured into its fold.
Industry Reviews
3 stars out of 5 -- "[Dahl] manages to get restrained performances from his stars here, particularly Kingsley and Leoni....Leoni gives her best performance since 1996's FLIRTING WITH DISASTER."
USA Today - Scott Bowles (06/22/2007)
"[T]he chromatically reduced palette nicely echoes the stark inner and outer worlds of Mr. Kingsley's character, Frank Falenczyk..."
New York Times - Manohla Dargis (06/22/2007)
"Leoni displays her comic acumen in a noir setting...[and] Kingsley brilliantly limns a sympathetic variation on the Mephistophelean persona he nailed in SEXY BEAST."
Box Office - John P. McCarthy (06/22/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's eccentric and funny....[Kingsley's] sparky relationship with a deliciously tart Leoni is priceless."
Total Film - Tom Charity (01/01/2008)
4 stars out of 5 -- "The direction from THE LAST SEDUCTION's John Dahl is perfectly deadpan, fully exploiting a crafty, clever script."
Uncut - Adam Sweeting (01/01/2008)
"Dahl keeps the pacing brisk....He also encourages some fine performances from his talented cast. Kingsley shows a deft comic touch..."
Sight and Sound - Jamie Russell (02/01/2008)
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