The Poet - Assassino de Aluguel

This is such a great film! Never mind the low rating here. I really have no idea where that came from, they must be discussing a different film then. Because I absolutely loved it and found it to be a little hidden treasure.

It's story was so original and charming.. I really can't think of anything bad to say about it. Maybe it has to be ''your type of thing'', but, I saw this with my sister and my mother, and we all were taken by it.

The acting was also very good, and that is hard to do in a film like this. But I found all the characters very intriguing and sympathetic.

I've always been very fond of Dougray Scott and found his new ''dark'' role very interesting. It is really awful hard to get me to like a bad guy, but I absolutely had no problem with that this time. Even more so, I adored him.

Everyone who loves a good thriller/drama that also has a good dose of love and tragedy should definitely go see this film, no question about that! Anyone wanting to see a film with 80% bloodshed, should go rent something else, though.. But I guess the title already kind of gives that away. This is a love story, not Saw 3.

I give this film 4 out of five stars!!! Good job!!!

xxx Enjoy!

From the cover I've seen: "intense, hot, sexy", that exactly what is missing in this movie under discussion. The story is not unique. The acting is not that good.

The story in one line: "A professional killer falls in love, and of course that is the problem".

The film was not boring, in fact, I think, it is not a waste of time. However, an intense thriller?: you easily can take a new drink from elsewhere, without missing the storyline; a sexy thriller?: you didn't find much uncovered body-works, during the sexy scenes; and hot?: I could not find this; seeing it a second time?: I don't think so.

Is this film a joke? Is it a comedy? Surely it isn't a serious thriller? There is no suggestion that there is any intended humor, but on quite a few occasions the poor acting, poor directing, and appalling script had the audience laughing out loud in the cinema. The plot is acceptable - a promising young artist just reaching his peak shot dead by an assassin he walks in on by mistake. The killer sees the young artists work portfolio he is carrying and decides to attend an exhibition of his work. At the exhibition the assassin meets the dead artists sister and they end up falling in love. It is all very predictable stuff and the end will not have anyone guessing as it is so poorly scripted. The film takes place mainly in and around Vienna, Austria, and shows what a beautiful city it is. Do not waste your time on this film though, unless you are studying how NOT to act, direct or script a film!

Redemption is a common theme in the 'Hit-man' genre and this film explores the guilty conscience of Andrei a professional assassin, who after killing a young, innocent witness in cold blood becomes intrigued by the life and art of his latest victim. This leads to his discovery of (and attraction to) Paula, the witnesses sister. As their unique relationship grows, Andrei is torn between his lonely and violent existence as a contract killer and the healing love of Paula. Pursued by a relentless Cop, it's only a matter of time before Paula finds out the truth of Andrei's identity, and Andrei himself answers for his crimes. Dougray Scott portrays Andrei's complexity perfectly - an isolated man of few words, wrestling with his inner demons, on the edge of losing his very soul. Laura Harring's moving performance as Paula encapsulates a sensual humanity that draws Andrei to her, making their falling in love all the more believable and tragic. Jurgen Prochnow, as always, gives an engaging, almost predatory performance as the pursuing Cop. Paul Hills' film style bares a likeness to the style of Director John Frankenheimer and those classic '60's and 70's thrillers that we all love - very tight and measured, almost documentary-like in some places. The Assassination scenes were very tense, concise, shocking and fueled with momentum and suspense. The camera-work in the Austrian countryside was particularly breath-taking. Sensitive, romantic, tragic and lyrical, The Poet lives up to its name. Overall, an engaging, well crafted romantic thriller.