Wild Target (2010)

This is a nice (not the right word but whatever) British film that would have felt right at home in the 1960s, it has that flavour, that look and that sort of chase/mistaken identities setup. Love it! What happens is this:
Billy Nighy is Victor Maynard, he is one of (if not THE) best assassins in the world. He is hired by Ferguson (Rupert Everrett) a man who has been swindled out of a lot of money by Emily Blunts Rose. Of course, problems arise when he begins to grow fond of her. Ferguson is not happy. So now Victor, Rose and tag along/Victors apprentice Tony (Rupert Grint) are hiding out/running away, etc.

The plot is actually kind of thin and sometimes it is clear that the writer didn't know what they wanted to do at certain points, so what we got was a 'could have been better' comedy gem. It's funny (thanks to the principle casts eclectic performances that range from subtle to absurd) and the ending is quite... well, it's not quite how one would envision it, but it works charmingly well for such a lightly dark (yes, i am aware that that is not a thing) movie.

The performance by Nighy isn't breaking ground but he was convincing, likeable and honestly he was just plain cool.
Emily Blunt? same as above really, but Rose isn't as uptight as Victor, in fact i'd put money on her being a bit of a loon.
Rupert Grint is probably the weakest link, but he is still enjoyable to watch, plus he had some great moments.

The standout of the movie is the cinematography, which is bright and beautiful. The mini that Rose drives (she picked it up at a gas station, keys and everything!) fits in remarkably well with the tone of the movie, because, well minis are such great getaway cars!

The weak spots are clearly the pacing, which sometimes feels either like things are happening too quickly or it's too slow,Then the script, it's okay (dialogue is funny, scenes are well set out and the characters are pretty interesting) but each time a pivotal scene comes into play, it has the distinct feeling of 'let's get this over with and get back to being ludicrous'. This is the feeling i got when they were staying in the safe house, if you see or have seen the movie- you'll get what i mean.

This is a remake of the french movie  Cible emouvante (1993), which translates to (you guessed it) Wild Target. Well aint that funny? I haven't seen it yet but want to at some point as i have been growing fond of French films as of late.

Overall this is a sly, witty, funny, absurd and flawed comedy that if it had been made bin 1960s would be hailed as one of the best comedies ever. But it's average now because A) it has too many 'crowd pleasing moments' and doesn't do enough of its own thing and B) times have changed and these sorts of comedies have been retried for decades but rarely have they been gotten right, i'd venture to say that this is the closest that we've come in a while. So yes, good but flawed gem (i predict classic status in about 20 years).

o and on a side not: i hate the poster/dvd cover or whatever picture i have put up, it makes it look like a kids movie about robbing a bank to save the orphanage.

"Tony, come and see what happens if you don't clean your gun" Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy), Wild Target.