What?! How had I not heard of The Hit? I freakin' love this film. Every mum's heart throb Terrence Stamp, is Willy, an enigmatic chap if ever I've met one. Willy grassed on his crim mates and has been hiding in Spain for a number of years. Tim Roth and John Hurt are the heavies who pick Willy up and have to drag him back to Paris to face the ultra violence that is awaiting him.
Opening with an Eric Clapton track and featuring the broad, barren landscapes of España this film immediately stood out to me from others of a similar vein. Stamp is amazing as the beguiling captive who has seemingly made peace with the universe. Roth's status as a newcomer to watch was solidified with this role as an apprentice gangster and he is truly believable as a stupidly dangerous, young punk too eager to impress. Hurt crackles as an old hand who is damaged from a life of crime and emits few signs of humanity. Their car trip to Paris becomes a festering mind game with intermittent outbursts of violence and hostage taking. I was also particularly joyed to see Bill Hunter in a small role. It's wonderful discovering the trail of golden film nuggets this icon left in his wake. Directed by Stephen Frears, The Hit is more slow burn and character driven than rampant gunfire and explosions which helps it shadow many of its brethren films.
The extras of the Criterion DVD release has an excellent Parky interview with Stamp from the 80s. Stamp seems to share some qualities with his character Willy and opens up about much of his colourful history. Your mum will also appreciate seeing this.
I was very happy to stumble across this underrated crime caper. It looks stunning while opening some larger, life and death puzzles to ponder.
And pondering I still am...Ah, yep, just got them. All figured out.
4.5/5
4.5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment