#mr.right

Mr. Right is the definition of a rental. It’s the kind of film that isn’t bad if all you’re looking to do is pass the time. The leads have charisma, the script by Max Landis offers some laughs... and yet, it could’ve been so much more. This all feels so familiar that there's no way you'll remember it down the line.

After a bad breakup, Martha (Anna Kendrick) meets Francis (Sam Rockwell). Things seem just right until she learns all the jokes he was making about killing people for money weren’t jokes at all! Francis is a former hitman and some local gangsters will do anything to get back at him.

Although it would be hard to find anyone who would call Mr. Right their favorite movie, it showcases Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell's talents well. The material they’ve been given is ok. It's amusing with some clever bits of dialogue here and there but nothing special. What saves it is the leads, who have genuine chemistry and plenty of instant appeal. Kendrick and Rockwell elevate it to the point where you’re cheering for the two of them all the way. They’re so good together they make the action sequences feel kind of dull. RZA also fares well as a mob heavy who simply has no luck whatsoever. Every time these actors are on-screen, you perk up.

There’s not much else to say about Mr. Right. For every scene that’s contrived at the beginning, there’s another that’s legitimately clever. The biggest issue with this romantic action/comedy is that it needed to go further. Had Martha and Francis BOTH been hitmen (hit people?), it would’ve made our heroine accepting everything around her more believable. Of course, this would've meant Paco Cabezas would be directing nothing more than a second-rate Mr. & Mrs. Smith. How about pushing the superpowers Francis appears to display, making the film R-Rated, or emphasizing the fact that he wears a disguise while killing and always has a snarky remark? Oh, well then you’d have a lesser Deadpool. The fact is we’ve seen this film done before, and better. The premise isn’t doomed from the start, but you’ve got to be special for people to want to buy your DVD and stick you on their shelf. Mr. Right isn’t.

Is Mr. Right a good or bad movie? It’s hard to say. You could make a case for either and I wouldn’t fight you. There’s stuff to like, there are elements that could’ve been improved. It’s something to watch if you want to pass time. (May 11, 2017)

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