Plot: What’s it about?
I love Sam Rockwell. It took me a while to finally come to that realization, but he’s probably one of the few actors that I can most identify with. I was filling out an application for a reality show (this was a few years ago) and it asked me to list which actor I liked and was the best representation of me. I’m sure you know what my answer was. Now this will be the question – why? Truthfully, I really can’t put my finger on it. He just seems to kind of float through some of his roles like the dances he does so well. And, oh he can dance! Switching gears a bit, I’d not really heard of this movie. According to the IMDb it had a budget of $8 million (paltry by today’s standards) and has a gross of $25,000. What’s that mean? We won’t be seeing a Mr. Right 2. But that’s ok. I’d had an unexpected day off of work and figured what the hell? I mean, this is why I do this site right? Why not broaden my horizons a bit and think outside the box? And if Sam Rockwell truly is one of my favorite actors then let’s give it a shot. You know what? I’m glad I did.
Martha (Anna Kendrick) has just discovered, in a not so discrete way, that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. After the break up she goes on a three day drinking binge only to emerge unscathed. While at a convenient store she bumps into “Mr. Right” (Sam Rockwell) who amazes her with his ability to balance boxes of condoms one on top of the other. He quickly asks her out and to his delight, she accepts. Everything is going well. She thinks him to be very eccentric and he tells her of his days in the CIA and of all the people he’s killed. She thinks he’s joking. In all actuality, he’s spot on and he’s now a hit man for hire. The only thing is…he kills the people he hires because he believes “murder is wrong.” He’s also being pursued by an old adversary (Tim Roth). It’s not long that Martha finds out the truth and the duo must put whatever differences they have aside so they can escape the gang of thugs that are after Francis (Mr. Right).
If you’ve seen the 1996 film Grosse Point Blank, then you’ll get an idea as what to expect here. Just because people die, does’t mean you can’t l laugh along the way. Take the Jules and Vincent segment from Pulp Fiction and update it a bit and that’s about the best way I can describe Mr. Right. And he dances! He’s amazing! This movie is like a dream for me! He dances and he kills people! Obviously the chemistry between Kendrick and Rockwell is there. One of my favorite scenes is with them in a car and he’s trying to explain to her his former profession. The whole time Kendrick is fighting back a smile and trying to remain in character and I have to imagine that’s what the entire movie was like. When two actors have on screen chemistry it makes the movie that much more enjoyable. The film has faults, it’s pretty predictable, but that’s ok because I had fun along the way. Give it a chance and prepare to be wowed.
Video: How’s it look?
Universal’s 2.40:1 AVC HD transfer is glorious. It’s colorful, saturated and everything else you’d expect a movie in New Orleans to be (I have no idea if the movie was actually filmed there, however). Blacks are a little flat in some scenes, but it’s ok as the detail more than makes up for it. Sam Rockwell’s perpetual scruff is razor sharp (pun fully intended) and Anna Kendrick’s skin looks as flawless as ever. Contrast is solid and the wide image seemingly has very little for me to complain about. I’m not too surprised that this looks as a good as it does.
Audio: How’s it sound?
This actually has a pretty jazzy soundtrack and a few of the songs I had to whip out my phone and Shazam a few that I didn’t recognize. There’s plenty of gunfire, which I’m not sure if my wife appreciated with me watching this at 11 o’clock at night, but the surrounds do their thing while the front’s take the burden of the action. It’s a fairly strong mix that’s sure to please. Vocals are strong and solid throughout and the DTS HD Master Audio soundtrack has very little for me to complain about.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- A Sweet Couple – This has got to be one of the worst supplements I’ve seen. It runs about 54 seconds, has a few quips from the movie overplayed with text. Even a trailer is longer (which isn’t included).
The Bottom Line
This movie isn’t trying to be Citizen Kane. Check your mind at the door, marvel in the awesomeness that is Sam Rockwell and sit back, relax and have a good time! That’s what movies are for, right? While Universal’s disc looks and sounds good, the included “extra” (quotes used intentionally) is almost as much of a joke as a clown nose. Still, I found myself really enjoying it and if your temperament is right – so will you.
