Charlie Valentine

...but the bad is pretty distracting.

Though the cinematography is slick and attractive, the editing is extremely flawed. This leaves the film disjointed and choppy; certain scenes become complete non-sequiturs, some of the action gets muddy, and jump cuts occasionally get ahead of themselves. Another round in the editing room could seriously improve the storytelling, because the right elements for an extremely compelling and rewarding character drama are there, they're just poorly communicated. The structure of something great is present, but it isn't filled out.

My second biggest problem was Raymond J. Barry. He was dull and often awkward as the eponymous gangster, there's only the occasional flash of the charisma and appeal his character is supposed to have. He delivers almost all his dialogue in an unsteady, disinterested mumble, and gritty realism may be unintelligible, but realism of that kind certainly puts a damper on the plot and characterisation. The other actors were uniformly excellent, especially Michael Weatherly who shone brilliantly in the last quarter of the film, though none of them have quite as much to do as they should. Danny and Charlie's Parole Officer both needed more development as individuals and a little more background would have helped the father/son relationship a lot.

Give me a reason why Danny admires Charlie so much and I would have been more willing to go along for the ride with them. Their reunion and Charlie's allure and charm as a successful gangster was rushed past and barely present, respectively. Danny's first defining character trait is uneasiness with authority and a fervent desire to remain out of prison. Why does he then turn around and become a disciple of his father without any kind of intermediate process of rationalisation? Yes, he wants to hold on to his father at any cost, but where is the indecision and what about Charlie's behaviour resolves him? As it was, his hero worship and abandonment issues must be extrapolated and his anger with his father is more prominent than the idealisation that makes him want to follow in the old man's footsteps. I know where the story is coming from, because it is such a classic story, but I would have preferred to actually see it on the screen instead of inferring it.

Basically, a clearer emotional progression was needed for Danny and frankly, I didn't find Charlie likable enough for his place in the story to function. He's despicable, but he should be charmingly despicable and I was not convinced he was charming.

Studios spend tens of millions of dollars to distract us with explosions, effects, and big names. The Hit men Diaries doesn't have that. What it does have is strong writing, great cinematography, powerful acting, and some names from actions films of the 90's. Raymond Barry does a great job as the lead, playing a ready to retire gangster.

I saw this film at AOF and everyone was at the edge of their seat at the gritty dialog. A well evolved film that shows us, a good script and good acting, makes for a good film. The story drew in the audience. The duality of the character intrigued. The director did a great job retelling a classic style heist film. All the pieces came together for this.

Despite the rating here this one is one more popular original films written and Directed by Jesse V. Johnson. Like many of his works it is a study of a flawed character in a violent world seeking some personal redemption. The film is a little longer than it needs to be. It looks like a Guy Ritchie film at parts. It has its good share of violence and sex. I like the actors and the supporting characters, especially Dominique Vandenberg, who would go on to star in a greta film. The Mercenary. I like Raymond Barry in the lead role; however, I don't like the character and that was toughest part for me. I am aficionado of Johnson's work and you must see this in his Library of films but I like The Butcher better as an older on and I loved The Beautiful Ones. This is good. Johnson is the master of making the most of a conservative budget.

Elderly gangster Charlie Valentine (Raymond J. Barry) wants to slip into retirement, and decides to pull one last con on his longtime boss Rocco (James Russo). Of course everything goes wrong, and Charlie tracks down his estranged son (Michael Weatherly) for safety. Charlie teaches him the tricks of the trade, and Rocco tracks them down.

Director Jesse Johnson impressed me with his previous effort "The Butcher", starring Eric Roberts and Keith David, who returns in Charlie Valentine. His new film has a classic plot that is largely the same as The Butcher, which isn't a bad thing because of how well it's done. Good action, good acting, and a solid plot keep you interested.

Barry is a great lead. He says his lines with his trademark growl and as much as you know his villainy you can't help but support him. Weatherly shows his talent and holds his own with Barry. James Russo and Steven Bauer make up the badguys here and turn in some great performances. Tom Berenger and Keith David aren't in this for more than five minutes each but it's nice for them to throw their names into some smaller work.

Worth a look if you like the genre or the actors. I give it a nine.

Director and writer Jesse V. Johnson who also created other classic flicks, The Butcher 2009, The Fifth Commandment 2008 and Pit Fighter 2005 has created another gem in Charlie Valentine.

Starring Raymond J. Barry who has also been in other classic flicks, Training Day 2001, Dead Man Walking 1995, Falling Down 1993, Rapid Fire 1992, Born on the Fourth of July 1989 and Year of the Dragon 1985.

Also starring Michael Weatherly.

Also starring James Russo who has also been in other classic flicks, Stiletto 2008, No Way Home 1996, My Own Private Idaho 1991, State of Grace 1990 and Once Upon a Time in America 1984.

Also starring Tom Berenger who has also been in other classic flicks, Stiletto also with James Russo, Sniper 2 2002, Training Day 2001, Born on the Fourth of July also with Raymond J. Barry and Platoon 1986.

Also starring Steven Bauer who has also been in other classic flicks, The Beast of War 1988, Scarface 1983 and another Jesse V. Johnson classic flick, Pit Fighter.

Also starring Keith David who has also been in other classic flicks, Transporter 2 2005, Requiem for a Dream 2000, Pitch Black 2000, There's Something About Mary 1998, Armageddon 1998, Marked for Death 1990, Executive Target 1997, Volcano 1997, The Quick and the Dead 1995, Gamer 2009, Platoon also with Tom Berenger, The Thing 1982 and other classic Jesse V. Johnson flicks, The Butcher and The Fifth Commandment.

I enjoyed the violence and shootouts.

If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic heist flicks, 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out 2003, Bonnie and Clyde 1967, Bottle Rocket 1996, The Getaway 1972, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man 1991, The Killing 1956, Killing Zoe 1993, Reservoir Dogs 1992, Den of Thieves 2018, Run Lola Run 1998, Stark Raving Mad 2002, Riders 2002, 3000 Miles to Graceland 2001, The Channel 2023 and The Town 2010.