Interview with a Hitman

OK if you want a mega budget action film, big names, big affects....well then this is not for you. Its always hard to rate a low budget film as most have a bigger version out there (not always better mind) its hard to see past the poor locals or affects, long story short they look cheap. So we have Hit-man who relives his life, flash backs and the like, all that he has done told through his eyes. Acting wise Luke Goss is good, cold and cool, and the other cast.....well a few are good and a few bad (it tends to be accents that let actors down) The action is good at times, again the low budget keeps it to mainly gun/hand fights, both of which are not bad, its not flashy but it feels a little bit more real to life. The story is what it is, been there seen that, but it moves along well. The look of the film is lower budget.....but at times it looks very well shot. One thing that stood out for me was the soundtrack, simple and at times haunting, much better than most films of this type. I know I keep saying budget budget budget, but its what you have to think of when you look at these films, for me this is a good solid film for the budget, it makes me wonder just what Perry Bhandal(director, first film) could do if he was to get a bigger....OK last time BUDGET. I hope some studio has faith in Perry Bhandal and gives him more room to create.

The first impression for me, watching this movie was: What the hell - a surprise out of nowhere. The atmosphere is sometimes as cold as the mind of a hit-man must be. Although, one can easily feel sympathy for him. So that should be the real title for this movie - Sympathy for a hit-man.

There is no way to compare the older hit-man movie (which follows the the game series) with this one.'Interview' is much harder, much more direct. While the body count is lower, and the pacing is much slower, with the absence of explosions and machine guns dismembering buildings, it's intensity is several classes above the earlier 'big' movie's.

Violence erupts fast and lethal, man's life isn't worth a second thought. Hit-man Victor does his job disciplined, results-oriented and precise.

So it is some kind of 'film noir' of todays days, an exception I would put in a row with Old boy or Sin City. You may love or hate them both, but they are also undoubtedly outstanding movies of their own kind.

This movie's strengths do come mostly from the presence of Luke Gross, who perfectly depicts a thug soldier, slowly awakening from an early inner death to an imagination of some kind of a life.

After that, there is a compelling soundtrack, and then, last but not least, for a first timer, I must say, an unbelievable talented director (Perry Bhandal), a late starter from whom we should hear and see more, in the near future, i hope.

There is also a solid supporting cast of pure professionals, that should be said for those of us who are reading here some reviews where an amateur cast is guessed. That's definitively not the case, you won't see anyone who can't act - on the contrary, even the kids are playing their parts very well. And of course, the Romanian characters are looking like Romanians, even when played by Brits, because Romanians can look like Russians or Italians or even like well-styled Englishmen ;-)

The few small flaws shouldn't be suppressed: First, Romanians are speaking together with a slight accent, that's sometimes irritating, but maybe is a tribute to those cast members who do not natively speak English. Second, the story itself is a bit confusing, and is not that believable when it comes to its solution; Even the interview idea per se is IMO a bit too far-fetched. At last, I felt that the age difference between grown-up Hit-man Victor and his Romanian Mentor Sergej is not shown properly in terms of make-up styling. But be assured, these are minor weaknesses.

Overall I cannot give less than 8 stars for atmospheric tense, cinematography and character depiction. While I found most of the past movies focusing on professional killers boring, this one by no means, thanks to actors, the director/writer, and the soundtrack composer.

This is by far the best British made thriller I have seen in a long time, the story is gritty, intense and compelling. Although the film was produced on a low budget, this for me enhanced the authenticity of the film and surpasses many other high budget thrillers in my opinion!

Luke Goss plays the lead character Viktor the Hit-man, Luke displays his raw talent throughout and his portrayal of an assassin is most compelling.

Perry Bhandal has done an fantastic job creating this film. I am truly amazed to hear that this was his first feature length film and I for one can't wait to see his next film!

The movie delivered in parts and mainly in the parts that matter. Generally the acting across the film showed some good performances and there were enough of these to hold the film together. For me it distances itself from other films in the 'hitman' space by not trying to masquerade as something it not. As with many low budget films it could be enhanced with investment time and resources, but we truly need these types of films within the industry. In fact, the challenge of not having the capital forces those involved to focus on the basics. This film delivers with a refreshing attempt to portray its characters and deal with a fast moving complex plot. The director has shown potential for delivering raw and hard hitting material. I'd like to say the film rocks, without making references to those who may have had alternative careers in the past. Seriously, a good film well made, with everything in place to make this an enjoyable watch.

Film noir? I Think so. It contains some of the classic ingredients. Narration, urban locations, a sultry lead male with chips on both shoulders (for no other reason than that his childhood was stolen from him?) and being in a place that he really doesn't want to be. A strong, mysterious female.

The camera work would not be to everyone's taste. Hand held a lot using available lighting? The result isn't always easy to watch. There are a lot of 'in-your-face' close-up shots, which Luke Goss lends himself too brilliantly. The film appears to be built around the editing, which really works and is very clever. The soundtrack was unobtrusive and enhanced the film. I like the fight scenes, no big demonstrations of pushing over large pieces of furniture, it didn't drag on for minutes just filling celluloid, no unrealistic sound effects. You don't need to know how Viktor became able to kill a man quickly with his bare hands.

Well cast in my opinion. Luke is pleasing on the eye for close up and his expressions showed all the emotion, or lack of it, the part required; no passion available - Perfect. I want to say he was very 'cool', but the character wasn't suppose to be cool, he was a boy on a mission and knew no other way to act, which just happened to come across as 'cool'. The supporting cast, mostly recognisable from any violent British film or grisly TV drama, played their parts admirably. Oh, and young Viktor? Elliot Greene, I hope shooting up people hasn't left him disturbed in any way. Or is he just being primed for the remake of Scum? I think without even realising it, or being told to, he played young Viktor with the same stealth and detachment that Luke played old Viktor.

I liked the twisting, or is that twisted? plot which made you wonder what was going on half way through then all made sense in the end, and what a conclusion. . .

Favourite shot – The expression on Viktor's face when he shoots the person under the table.

Best line: "Sorry to hear about your Mother". "Why? You didn't even know her" – a response all should be allowed to give when telling people they lost a parent when they were in their teens or younger and not be considered rude or insolent