“Nailed it!” —Grady
Today’s quick review: The Midnight Man. Grady (Will Kemp), an assassin who can’t feel pain, takes an important job for his boss Ezekiel (Brent Spiner), agreeing to kill four informants in one night. But when an unknown foe drugs Grady, Grady gains sensation for the first time in his life. Off his game and unsure of who set him up, Grady kidnaps Zan (Brinna Kelly), a rookie paramedic, to keep him in fighting shape as he checks off his targets.
The Midnight Man is a black crime comedy about a mouthy assassin facing the worst night of his career. Will Kemp stars as Grady, whose numbness to pain gives him a leg up in his violent profession. Brinna Kelly co-stars as Zan, Grady’s only hope of making it through the night alive. Sharp dialogue, a skilled lead, and a novel premise are enough to make The Midnight Man a fun watch. However, it’s hurt by hit-or-miss humor and a loose plot.
The Midnight Man’s best feature is its humor. Grady’s quick wit and immunity to pain make him a sarcastic, unflappable protagonist. His quips hit the mark more often than not, a mixture of black comedy, absurdity, and wordplay that gives the film much of its energy. Will Kemp is an excellent pick for the role. Doug Jones also carries a portion of the movie in his late-game appearance as Vick, a polite sadist who wants to take a crack at Grady.
The problem with The Midnight Man is that it doesn’t capitalize on its strengths. In spite of a promising setup, the script tapers off near the middle, devolving into a disjointed string of encounters with Grady’s targets. The plot has a few too many twists to have a satisfying ending. The dialogue relies too heavily on sarcasm, especially once Zan shows up. The acting is also splotchy, and the movie makes limited use of its few big-name actors.
The Midnight Man is a fun, albeit modest, crime comedy that has more potential than it knows what to do with. The combination of a well-cast lead and clever dialogue put the movie off to a good start, but errors in its plot, acting, and balance of humor keep it from coming together as a whole. Those with the right sense of humor will find The Midnight Man to be a diamond in the rough. Those with higher standards will find that it falls short.
For another crime comedy with a mouthy protagonist, try Lucky Number Slevin. For a romantic black comedy about a witty assassin, try Mr. Right. For one with a lower budget and more subdued humor, try Love Shot. For a black comedy with more consistent writing and a tongue-in-cheek setup, try Dead in a Week (or Your Money Back). For a budget crime movie with a similar romantic pairing, try Love Shot.
5.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for strong humor let down by inconsistent execution.