Retro Film Review: Diary of a Hitman (1991)
Hitman being caught in the existential crisis is a concept that is quite common for today's Taratinoesque comedies. But it was used even before, and, believe it or not, in dead serious stage plays. One of such stage plays is Insider’s Price by Kenneth Pressman. In 1991 same author adapted his play for the big screen in a film Diary of a Hitman, directed by Roy London.
The hitman in question is Dekker (played by Forest Whitaker). He is professional assassin who is good at his work, yet, who feels less and less satisfied with his career and way of life. Like many people in his situation, he wants out, but it isn't so easy. First he must do the very last job, the one that should settle him financially for good. That job is Jain (played by Sherilyn Fenn), beautiful woman, and the contract was put on by her half-crazed husband. When he finally meets her, Dekker finds out that he is attracted to the woman and that he simply can't pull the trigger.
Movies based on stage plays are sometimes very recognisable, because the scripts almost always put more emphasis on characters than the action itself. Diary of a Hitman isn't much different. Although the plot isn't limited on one or few isolated places, theatrical feel is still present. Mostly because some of the actors work really hard, sometimes forgetting that they don't play at the stage. But the main actor, always reliable Forest Whitaker, plays the character of a hitman with excellence, making his anxiety and transformation quite believable. Unfortunately, most of the other actors aren't so good, especially Sharon Stone, who was wasted in small and rather unnecessary role. Director Roy London doesn't excel either, making this theatrical film even cheaper-looking than it actually is. The plot is also sometimes confusing, because the characters aren't well-drawn. All in all, Diary of a Hitman is a film with good idea, but poor execution, and hitmen suffering from existential crisis were doomed to fall into domain of Tarantino.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on July 3rd 1999)
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Critic: 4/10