Individually
Anna Kendrick and
Sam Rockwell are worth seeing in almost any movie they choose to make (it takes a
bad director to bleach out either of these talents). Together, however, they seem a perfect match, and under the fine tonal hand of director
Paco Cabezas (shown below, clearly getting into the spirit of things), the pair takes the infinitely clever but woefully under-seen
MR. RIGHT into the stratosphere.
We've viewed a number of previous comedies in which a killer, instead of being the villain, proves to be the hero. But none, I think, have been quite as much frolicsome fun as this. But before you let your kids view the movie, please note that its "R" rating is thoroughly deserved. There's blood spilled copiously, lots of sexual references, and language that would make your grandmother blush. There is also plenty of terrific action, swell performances, and a wealth of humor that comes from smart characterization, clever dialog (the screenwriter is
Max Landis), and crazy situations that may belie reality but make the movie a hilarious treat.
Kendrick (above) and Cabezas introduce our heroine as a gal who consistently gets involved with the wrong man (the opening is funny indeed, and how the filmmaker handles a barely seen bottle of wine proves just right).
Mr. Rockwell is introduced in similarly fine fashion, and what his character does to the woman who has hired him may raise eyebrows, but soon enough we get the explanation, and it's the perfect remedy for anyone worried about the morality at work here.
Once the pair meet, and are of course smitten, the movie takes off and doesn't slow down until the credits roll. Along for the funny, bumpy ride is a great supporting cast, including
Tim Roth as Rockwell's bête noire (shown above with
Katie Nehra, who play Kendricks best friend);
Anson Mount (above), who plays one of two very angry, very dumb brothers who have foolishly tried to hire Rockwell as assassin; and the versatile
James Ransone (below, left, of
The Wire and so much other good stuff), who plays the other, even stupider brother.
Very nearly stealing the movie is
RZA (above, right), as an also mentally-challenged bad guy who has enough good guy left in him to have us (as well as Rockwell and Kendrick) still rooting for him.
As I say, the "tone" here counts for so very much, and Cabezas keeps it light and airy, despite all the bullets and blood. This is tricky, to say the least, but thanks to his and his cast's light touch -- there's a simply amazing, very nearly classic scene midway along in which Rockwell teaches Kendrick to find her flow while the two toss knives at each other -- the movie never loses its footing and in fact just grows crazier and more enjoyable as it scoots happily along.
After a very limited theatrical release that garnered a mixed bag of reviews 37% critic-positive on
Rotten Tomatoes and 54 % from the audience, it's obviously a matter of taste. But those of us who like the film,
really like the film. And so, I suspect, since you're reading
TrustMovies, might
you.
From
Focus Features and
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and running just 96 magical minutes,
Mr. Right, already available On-Demand and via Digital HD, will also be out on Blu-ray and DVD this Tuesday, June 7 -- for purchase or rental.
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