The Hit
“The Hit” has a unique tone to it as it adds something to the noir genre I have yet to see. As the story unfolds before us, we slowly begin to realize that the plot will go deeper with a huge twist that pays off. It uses all the cliches in the noir genre with lighting and plot devices and uses old, secluded, blues music which really gives it more of a bleak vibe.
When the film opens we are introduced to the woman who sets up the murder of her husband with her lawyer. From there we are introduced to two hitmen. One is an experienced rough and gruff guy who always has a cigarette hanging out of his mouth (you got to have a cigarette in a noir at some point) while he spews religious passages. The other hitman, the younger one, learns he was knocked out after his last job and doesn’t remember a thing… Really, it’s a cool way to introduce the characters and already gives us a vibe as to what they’re like. Ultimately the woman hires these two men for a hit. Of course, this being a noir, there’s going to be some twists and turns that dives the story into a fest of broken alibis and a story of not knowing who to trust.
The music really added a fun and unique touch on this film. Like I stated earlier, this short film adds some elements I have yet to see play into noirs and the music being a bluesy kind of vibe. It adds something really unique and I can’t find words to describe it. Just know I really liked it and it definitely adds a nice touch to the story.
I loved the lighting of this whole thing as well. There’s definite contrast that really adds depth to the characters. All these characters have a mystery behind their personalities and the lighting really echoes that. The story itself is fun and the climax does a really cool way to reveal who the bad guy really is. Each scene slowly reveals more and more of the character’s intentions. It starts out dark and eventually works its way to the desert where the experienced hitman has cool contrast with his shades on and cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Honestly, it makes him look like one gnarly man you wouldn’t want to get on the bad side of.
The writing of the characters was well done as each character feels fleshed out. Sure some of their motives seem a little muddy, but I kind of dig I don’t know the backstory of them because it adds more to the overall mystery. I honestly loved the references to the bible the one hitman makes throughout the film because it actually goes somewhere and it’s not just a trait. “Oh, he’s a religious man. Cool.” No. He’s something much more and the dialogue interaction between him and his coworker felt organic and natural. The woman in this did a fantastic job as well by capturing the essence of the noir mistress planning to kill.
The overall direction was well done. I’m a sucker for mystery and crime stories, especially when the reveal has been paid off and feels deserved, which is certainly the case for this short film. The director had a particular visual style that really captivated me with steady camera movements and cinematography that drew my attention to certain areas of the screen. All cast and crew members did a wonderful job on the noir short “The Hit”.
