L'agenda d'un tueur à gages

I have trouble believing this movie has so many good user reviews here, because for me it was rather poor. I understand that it's from a play, "Insider's Price", and its origins show. I usually like Forest Whitaker, the hit-man, but I think he was badly directed here. He overacts, a lot, and his narration was atrocious as in exaggerated and almost ludicrous. It wasn't even a real diary, it was a phone conversation and as such it worked even less. I get our hit-man isn't the sharpest tool in the block but the writing seemed weak with some lousy lines. The target, Sherilyn Fenn's, although looking fine, was arguably worse acting-wise, because her reactions often weren't believable or seemed emotionally fake. You see James Belushi and Sharon Stone in the credits, but they only have 5-minute cameos. Belushi's part could have easily been cut. Sharon Stone's was a bit more interesting but any actress could have done it.

The main part of the film was a confrontation between the hit-man and the target in her apartment. From the way it was shot, the confined space and the acting, it really felt theatrical there but not in a good way. I suppose some scenes would have elicited laughter in front of a audience (such as the pulling back and forth of the curtains or the cake scene), but here, they seemed out of place. I was more often puzzled by reactions than gripped by tension as to her fate and that of the baby. Also, very little action here, it was all very talkative. This film seemed very forgettable fare to me.

Rating: 3 out of 10 (poor)

Forest Whitaker is an incredible actor. He is truly an amazing actor. One of the best actors of this generation.

And in this movie, he really shines. He does a really strong performance. His voice over is really good. He plays a very troubled hit man with an identity crisis and maybe a mid life crisis. He's very troubled by his job. Troubled by his purpose in life. He gets paid well for his hitman job and he's very good at his job.

But he's very tired and very troubled by his routine. We get a lot of monologues of his inner thoughts. And I really loved this part of the movie. Forest Whitaker is talking to himself and to the audience. We get to hear everything he's feeling. We get to hear his inner conflict. We get to connect with him and his inner feelings.

The second part of the movie all deals with him taking a job and having a hard time finishing the job, having an inner conflict in hurting innocents. The second part of the movie is the conflict and turmoil between him and Sherilyn Fenn. They have a very strong and dark confrontation and the dilemma of Forest Whitaker hurting two innocents.

He has a job to do but his conscience won't let him do it. There's a lot of money on the line but he is troubled by his morality.

I really liked this movie and everyone gave good strong performances. Even the smaller roles like the psychologist was very good.

Dorest Whitaker stars as a hitman hired by a commodities trader who asks him to murder his wife who he says is a drug addict who gave birth to an addicted baby who isnt his... Whitaker, doing one final job, goes but has his doubts of the authenticity of the husband and breaking his professional vow to himself, begins talking with the woman (Sherilyn Fenn in one of her best roles) A highly dramatic film that runs like a theater drama. Very Well done and underappreciated On a scale of one to ten.. 7

Forrest Whitaker turns in a measured performance of a hitman as does Sherilyn Fenn as the potential victim. That's the bottom line with 'Diary of a Hitman'. A low budget, but effectively acted film that features quick appearances from established names Jim Belushi (as a cop) and Sharon Stone (as Fenn's characters sister).

Dekker (Whitaker) is a pro who often tells his victims "it's just business" before the final deed. Lately however those are the words he's barely able to hold onto as he sours on his line of work - the mental effects taking their toll. Looking to get out, he takes on 'the last job' from his employer Koenig (Seymour Cassel). It's an ugly number of taking out a man's wife Jain (Fenn) and child (who he says isn't his).

I gave 'Diary' a go exclusively because of Whitaker and ultimately it's the film's strongest asset. Fenn is effective, but also irritates you with her character's mannerisms and ploys to stay alive. Belushi & Stone are fun to see pop up, but don't really contribute much else. Being boxed up in one location for an extended period of the film provides tense atmosphere, but isn't visually pleasing.

Some sparse narration and visible mental deterioration from the hitman come across as convincing, but the last act is both hollow, more than a little trite. Leaving this film decidedly average, underwhelming in many regards, but still worthy of a view for Whitaker's performance. If you don't find yourself a fan you can keep moving and not have missed much.

This is an excellent movie, Whittaker is so underrated. They rave about the same actors, being so gifted. Whittaker is so powerful, soft spoken, not with mumbling so many actors do. I enjoyed this movie very much. It was very human and touching.

Fenn was so good, in a role that could have been wasted on other beautiful actresses.