Killshot |  | Director: John Madden
Actors: Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Jane
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.97
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Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 8654
Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 1000565
UPC: 796019820080
EAN: 0796019820080
ASIN: B001U0HB5Q
Theatrical Release Date: 2009
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Genius Products Inc Release Date: 05/26/2009 Rating: R
Amazon.com
The 1989 Elmore Leonard novel Killshot is a real palm-sweater, with a relentless storyline, compellingly conflicted protagonists running for their lives, and--just behind and sometimes ahead of them--a walking nightmare of a half-Indian stone killer named "Blackbird," plus the freaked-out small-timer he's taken under his wing. The movie version was produced by Quentin Tarantino's longtime partner Lawrence Bender, with Mickey Rourke as the hitman who lets no one live after seeing his face, the talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick) as his jittery acolyte Richie Nix, and Diane Lane and Thomas Jane as the about-to-divorce couple who run afoul of them by grotesque miscue and end up in the Witness Protection program. Sounds like a recipe for an edgy suspense classic--except that, after filming in 2005, the picture sat on the shelf for years, to be taken down for periodic recuts, which included dropping one whole line of action and the featured player associated with it. At 84 minutes, Killshot has been reduced to a collection of Leonard ingredients, still tantalizing but half-baked. The Oscar-nominated director of Shakespeare in Love is willing to let these lumpy remains be billed as "A John Madden Film," so blame him for failing to make more of Rourke's creepy rapport with putative victim Lane and Richie's Elvis-worshipping girlfriend Rosario Dawson, for Gordon-Levitt's over-the-top (but undeniably appropriate) portrayal of Richie, and for the heavyhanded editing and repetitious, over-interpretive dialogue (by Hossein Amini). There's some good wintry location work in Ontario and in Leonard's home-base Michigan, and a brief sojourn in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the birthplace of Rush Limbaugh. --Richard T. Jameson
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
 Quirky Characters and Fine Acting But ... Where Is the Director's Cut? January 30, 2010
Tsuyoshi (Kyoto, Japan)
I wouldn't miss a chance to see a film starring beautiful Diane Lane. And the film is based on an Elmore Leonard novel. In fact "Killshot" has an impressive cast including Mickey Rourke, Thomas Jane, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson and Hal Holbrook as a cameo. But I never heard of the film (directed by John Madden, "Shakespeare in Love") until recently, and the reason is simple. "Killshot" is not very good.
Mickey Rourke is excellent as a troubled hitman Armand "The Blackbird" Degas thinking of retiring from his job. But when he encounters a psychopathic criminal Richie Nix (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is hatching an extortion plot, Armand takes him under his wing. Ritchie's brilliant plan goes terribly wrong, however, when trigger-happy Ritchie mistakes a veteran ironworker Wayne (Thomas Jane) visiting for job interview for the real target. Moreover, Wayne's estranged wife Carmen sees the face of Armand, and one of his rules as a professional killer is "never to leave living witnesses."
A troubled production history notwithstanding, "Killshot" is not a total disaster. The storyline is disjointed and obviously the film is heavily re-edited, but the film still has original book writer Elmore Leonard's signatures - crackling dialogues and quirky characters bolstered by the competent works from the entire cast. Still the film's final act is a huge letdown and it is hard for anyone (including Mr. Leonard himself) to take the film's sloppiest Federal Witness Protection Program very seriously.
Certainly this is better than two recent disappointments, "The Big Bounce" and "Be Cool," but "Killshot" is still a half-baked Elmore Leonard adaptation that could have been "Jackie Brown" with filmmakers who understand the original writer's unique worldview where violence and humor co-exist so naturally.
Even cut up, worthy of a look January 21, 2010
John Bowes (Oxford, MA USA)
As many have said, what was the whole thing like? The acting is enough to hold the watcher. Gordon-Levitt is worth the price of admission. And any movie that tries to stay close to Leonard's original ideas and dialogue is worth more than all the recent crap that sells itself as hard-boiled thrillers.
Wasnt awesome but I enjoyed November 14, 2009
anonymously zbt (oklahoma)
I have certainly seen better movies with these actors in them. However, I did enjoy the movie and thought that Mickey Rourke and Diane Lane was certainly worth watchinh.
A real barn burner November 11, 2009
Nancy Domnic (Charlotte NC)
I watched this movie one night out of pure boredom. I cannot say there was anything memorable about it, but if you like semi-action movies this might be worth your time. If anything Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke needed some extra money and this movie was an acceptable screenplay.
 Crackling Good Thriller! October 22, 2009
Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas)
I'm amazed this film was 'shelved' for two years, as "Killshot", based on an Elmore Leonard novel, is a really terrific suspense yarn, with excellent characters, some engaging plot twists, and a nail-biter of a climax. It is certainly at the top of the class of 2008 in the genre!
While the premise (retired hitman is called on to do one more job, which goes wrong, and spirals into a chain of disasters), isn't a new one, you'll seldom see it played out with more panache. Mickey Rourke, as the half-Indian contract killer, is simply superb, his scarred, impassive features masking a man of scruples and a strict code of conduct; he is so good in the role, you actually sympathize with him, particularly when, after the 'hit', he bonds with a hyperactive, psychotic young bankrobber, who reminds him of his dead brother. As portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the kid is so 'over-the-top' that I thought the part was overplayed, at first, but as the film progresses, the contrast between the pair's personalities becomes one of the strongest assets of the film.
When the pair attempts an extortion con the kid sets up, not only does it backfire, but a couple (Diane Lane and Thomas Jane) can identify both of them...which makes their 'elimination' essential, and initiates the 'cat-and-mouse' chase of the film. While the couple lacks the flashiness of the criminals, they are quite believable (both are facing personal crises, with Lane demanding a divorce, as Jane tries to find something to believe in, that will reunite them). Without giving away any surprises, I will say the plot takes a couple of very unexpected (and intriguing) turns, and you won't get bored!
Two supporting players are stand-outs; Hal Holbrook, in a very brief role as a mob boss, gives his character as much dignity as Rourke gives the hit man, and their scene together is terrific; and Rosario Dawson, as the kid's Elvis-loving mistress, will break your heart, she's that good!
This is certainly a keeper!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
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