A friend of mine asked me the other day if I had seen this film, and whilst I remember it being released, I hadn't had chance to see it at the cinema. Though through the majesty of Netflix that was soon remedied. My friend was wanting my opinion on the film. After watching it he felt that it had potential but he that it was missing something, and that something was what would make it great.
I agree that Hit and Run has great potential, and there are some very good moments in it. Many sources list it as an action comedy, but I think the romantic element is it's most affable quality. This is Shepard and Bell's second film together since they became a couple in 2007, the first being 'When In Rome'. With Shepard being writer and director for this latter outing I feel it allows their natural chemistry to shine through. The film experiences most of it's success in the exploration of their relationship, falling in love, and how that can be effected by what you do or don't know about a person.
Shepard plays Charlie Bronson, who lives in the middle of nowhere under witness protection having been witness to an armed bank robbery. There he meets and falls in love with Bell's character Annie Bean, a teacher who gets the job offer of a lifetime in LA. Charlie however, moved away from LA as part of the witness protection program to avoid our bad guy Alex Dmitri, played by Bradley Cooper. Although Charlie was a witness against Alex, Alex avoided a long jail sentence due to Charlie's involvement as the getaway driver. A fact that Annie doesn't know about to begin with. Knowing the job offer is the opportunity of a lifetime, Charlie takes Annie to LA for her interview. Soon, however, both end up on the run from Alex after he finds out that Charlie has arrived back in town. As the film, and the chase, goes on, Annie uncovers more about Charlie's past. Beginning to question if she can still love a person she realises she doesn't know much about.
Shepard does a great job of making the film fun. I think this is in large part due to the female lead being his now wife, and the multitude of fast cars and car chases. A petrol head and motorcycle racer, Dax must have loved all of the car chase scenes in the film. Getting the rare opportunity to have his cake, and eat it.
My only real criticism of the film is when we uncover the true nature of the relationship between Charlie and Alex, Alex as a bad guy becomes less sinister. Although this in turn makes the focus more on Charlie and Annie's relationship issues. While this is where the films strength lies, it also highlights the fact that the film would be much improved if we got to explore that changing relationship further. Many of the films highlights come from the dialogue between Charlie and Annie.
Definitely watchable if you haven't seen it already. Especially for a date night.
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