Wild Target
2010 Directed by Jonathan Lynn
Synopsis
One hot pistol. One hired gun. One loose cannon.
Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring in the process a young apprentice, Tony. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.
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Gave it a star just for Emily Blunt...
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Why did I miss this? If it wasn't for letterboxd I wouldn't have found it. For me, this was the near perfect mix of all the right humor, entanglements and action.
Let me be clear, there is no real twist to how this turns out in the end. It is as straight forward as you expect, so maybe we could have hoped for a bit more in that department. But while we're getting there, this is just... enjoyable. I even liked Rupert Grint.
Footnote: I must say I adore Bill Nighy. Even though he's Bill Nighy in every film. Or, that is of course why.
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Lighthearted and enjoyable. The great cast makes this otherwise somewhat flimsy film well worth watching.
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A star studded cast of Brits couldn't save this film from its lack of wit, humor and charm. And what was with the fucking soundtrack?
One star for Emily Blunt. (I love you.)
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This is beautifully shot, and romantic in an English kind of way.
The genre wavers drunkenly from light comedy to high farce, and has a very out-of-place car chase, but despite the antics Bill Nighy is his usual understated and charming self.
Emily Blunt plays an unlikeable character with some finesse, but for me the surprise showing is Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly of Harry Potter fame), who turns in an effortless and nostalgic impression of Ron Weasly.
The tone of the film, although variable, settles into a rhythm reminiscent of Peter Sellers' Pink Panther series, though not so broadly comedic.
If you enjoyed Johnny English, but perhaps thought that it was a little too silly, or if you loved A…
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While the story is nothing special, the acting is so top shelf that everything comes together. Bill Nighy is amazing as a bored contract killer, while Rupert Grint is hilarious as an impressionable teenager, and even Emily Blunt plays the sexy but in-over-her-head girl rather well. Martin Freeman and Rupert Everett just seem to be having a good time playing around in the background.
Overall a fun little film.
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Emily Blunt's legs and lips are stil awesome, Bill is being Bill, and Rupert, eh... was he actually in this movie?
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It shouldn't be possible for a film starring Emily Blunt, Bill Nighy, Rupert Everett, and Martin Freeman to be this boring. The director and screenwriter both need to be sent to bed without any supper.
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Erőltetett poénkodás. Csak a londoni jelenetek miatt néztem meg.
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A fun British movie about assassins. Everyone involved does a really good job with their character. It's silly, it's fun, it's a good movie. I want to see Emily Blunt do more stuff like this.
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unterhaltsam!
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A star studded cast of Brits couldn't save this film from its lack of wit, humor and charm. And what was with the fucking soundtrack?
One star for Emily Blunt. (I love you.)
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Okay, an extra 1/2 star for Bill Nighy; he can make you laugh.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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Director Jonathan Lynn has made some classic crime comedies, namely Clue, My Cousin Vinny, and The Whole Nine Yards, but then again, he did also direct Sgt. Bilko. It's an inconsistent filmography if there ever was one, but I'm pleased to report that Wild Target is mostly a success. It handles some areas with more ease than others, but it's consistently enjoyable.
It's a remake of a French film, but plays out like a pretty basic hitman comedy. Bill Nighy plays Victor (no relation to his Underworld character, sadly), an aging assassin who pisses off a client when he chooses not to kill his target, played by Emily Blunt. He attempts to protect her from his replacements, and they even…