THE HIT Movie Review

Terence Stamp turns in a knockout performance in this witty, off-kilter little picture about a mob informer (Stamp) who's managed to escape the long arm of the “family” for a decade. As The Hit begins, his luck runs out. Killing him right away would mean no movie, however, so world-weary, zombie-like hit man John Hurt and his moronic, weasely gunsel Tim Roth (making a terrific impression in his film debut) are charged with transporting him to the ordained place and time of his execution. Stamp confounds the two men by accepting his fate like a gentleman; he's so suave and cool that they're both incredulous (with good reason, it turns out). The Hit was directed by Stephen Frears (The Grifters, The Snapper) as a darkly comic shaggy-dog story about courage and machismo not always being what they seem. He's got a point. Highly recommended. With Laura Del Sol (Carmen), Bill Hunter (Muriel's Wedding), and Fernando Rey (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie).

NEXT STOP … Goodfellas, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Reservoir Dogs

1985 (R) 105m/C GB Terence Stamp, John Hurt, Laura Del Sol, Tim Roth, Fernando Rey, Bill Hunter; D: Stephen Frears; W: Peter Prince; C: John A. Alonzo; M: Eric Clapton. VHS, V NLC