Month: September 2021

Today’s quick review: Killers. While on vacation in France with her humdrum parents (Tom Selleck and Catherine O’Hara), Jen Kornfeldt (Katherine Heigl) falls in love with Spencer (Ashton Kutcher), a handsome stranger who’s secretly a government assassin. Spencer returns her feelings and hangs up his gun for a life of domestic bliss—until three years later, when a brush with an old associate (Martin Mull) puts Spencer and Jen in the crosshairs.

Killers is a romantic action comedy about an assassin who settles down with the woman he loves. Killers draws most of its humor from the contrast between Jen and Spencer’s mundane suburban life and the violence of Spencer’s old career. The movie aims to be a fun romp that emphasizes the banter between its leads, the colorful friends and family that surround them, and the offbeat nature of their relationship. However, its execution leaves much to be desired.

Killers has a promising setup, but it’s burdened with a host of problems. The biggest one is the movie’s leads. Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher have only a fraction of the chemistry they need to carry the movie. Jen comes across as awkward and insecure, while Spencer splits the difference between long-suffering and sarcastic. The two have a few good moments together, but their relationship as a whole feels forced and even a little bitter.

Other parts of the movie have problems as well. The plot is oddly structured, with a long introduction, a late start to the action, and no clear finale to build to. The logic of the story hangs together poorly, beginning with Jen and Spencer’s relationship and continuing to the final twist. Killers’ subtlest issue is its sense of humor. Many of the jokes work well on paper, but the movie delivers them by rote, never working them into a cohesive style.

In spite of its many faults, Killers is a passable pick for anyone in the mood for something light and modestly amusing. The comedy is inconsistent but occasionally hits the mark, and the premise has genuine potential. But the combination of poorly matched leads, mediocre humor, and a lackluster plot leaves Killers outclassed by the other movies that play in a similar space. Most viewers would be better off looking elsewhere.

For a more charming movie with a similar premise, try Knight and Day, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, or RED. For a quirkier take on a similar romantic pairing, try Mr. Right. For another comedy about an assassin who’s weary of his job, try The Matador. For a black comedy with a similar tone and sharper writing, try Grosse Pointe Blank.

5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a fun setup whose execution largely falls flat.

“No one follows us, or I kill myself and then her.” —Roy

Today’s quick review: Knight and Day. June Havens (Cameron Diaz) can’t believe her luck when she hits it off with Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), a kind, handsome stranger, on the flight to her sister’s wedding. But her luck takes a turn for the worse when Roy turns out to be a government agent on the run with a stolen energy device. June must decide whether to trust Roy or the enemies chasing him as she gets caught up in a globe-trotting adventure.

Knight and Day is a romantic action comedy about an ordinary woman who stumbles into a three-way conflict between a rogue agent, his former partner (Peter Sarsgaard), and a Spanish arms dealer (Jordi Molla). Knight and Day builds a light romantic comedy on a spy thriller plot as June gets swept off her feet by Roy. Fun banter, offbeat situations, and a well-matched pair of leads are enough to make the movie an enjoyable, if insubstantial, watch.

Knight and Day centers around two odd characters who complement each other well. Roy is unusually sensitive for a superspy, taking the time to take care of June even in the middle of dangerous situations. For her part, June has a bright, flexible attitude that suits the chaos around her. The chemistry between Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise forms the backbone of the movie, supporting not only their romantic arc but the story and humor as well.

Still, Knight and Day doesn’t always have a delicate touch. The spy side of the story has just enough detail to support June and Roy’s relationship but no more. Plot points that would be significant in other action movies, such as travel between locations or the details of Roy’s career, are glossed over in Knight and Day. The odd slant to June and Roy’s personalities can also make them hard to invest in, since they don’t behave like real people.

Knight and Day is a fun popcorn watch that’s worth checking out for anyone in the mood for something a bit lighter. Its story isn’t a masterpiece, its characters can be peculiar at times, and other films outclass it in terms of action and humor. But the combination of two likable leads, a charming premise, and honest enthusiasm for its material makes it a breezy experience. Those who dislike either Tom Cruise or Cameron Diaz should steer clear.

For another action comedy that drops an ordinary woman into a world of spies and danger, try Red or True Lies. For one that does the same type of thing for the adventure genre, try Romancing the Stone. For a comedy with a similarly offbeat pair of leads, try The In-Laws. For other adventures starring Tom Cruise, try Jack Reacher or the Mission: Impossible series. For a light action movie starring Cameron Diaz, try Charlie’s Angels.

6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for charm and energy with a few rough edges.