Review: ‘Mr. Right’ is definitely a winner (Includes first-hand account)

The dating scene is probably saddled with the greatest number of clichés. “There’s plenty of fish in the sea.” “You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince.” “Love like you’ve never been hurt.” “Love is blind.” But the one that probably motivates people most is the idea that there’s someone for everyone… that you’re “one” is out there. Mr. Right is an incredibly entertaining take on this concept that fatefully pairs an assassin with a would-be professor.

When Martha (Anna Kendrick) discovers her long-term boyfriend is cheating, her already hyperactive personality is shifted into overdrive. Her desire to be constantly on the move and doing crazy things is testing the limits of her friendships — until she meets Francis (Sam Rockwell). In spite of his awkward and somewhat creepy pick-up lines, the two seem to be hitting it off. Even wilder is the fact that he never lies to her about being a hitman and killing people during their dates… she just understandably thinks he’s joking. But Francis’ former employers are not happy about his turn of conscience and decision to start killing those who hire him. Now he’s on the run from an equally capable assassin (Tim Roth), and Martha is caught in the middle of her love for Francis and the danger that love imposes.

This is undoubtedly one of the kookiest romantic comedies that will still hook audiences with its adorably eccentric couple. Both Martha and Francis are somewhere in between neurotic and completely crazy, but their levels of madness appear to complement each other perfectly. They both say and do the weirdest things, yet the other person simply accepts it and moves forward with the conversation or serves up the ideal response. There’s a chemistry between them no one can deny and they can’t resist in spite of the many complications it presents. That said, there is absolutely nothing realistic about this narrative and that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. The improbability of any of these characters existing allows audiences to just sit back and have fun.

The on-screen connection between Kendrick and Rockwell is amazing and is certainly the reason this quirky comedy works so well. They’re completely in sync with one another and are able to make even the zaniest lines seem natural. Moreover, they both prove capable of keeping up with their characters’ manic personalities and maintaining the scripts fast-pace so at times it’s almost as if the film is being watched on fast-play (this is meant as a compliment). Roth also contributes to this madcap atmosphere as his character is somewhat roguish and often more than a little chatty. His intro scene is quite amusing as well. And finally, a surprise appearance by RZA as a hired gun with more brains than his employers is quite entertaining.

Definitely consider this for a fun and charming night at the movies — regardless of your relationship status.

Director: Paco Cabezas
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell and Tim Roth

Similar Posts

  • Review: ‘Rams’ shows varied resilience in the face of conflict (Includes first-hand account)

    Being blood relatives doesn’t foster an immediate affinity or adoration of each other. Family feuds can be the most virulent as they tend to run deeper than simple disagreement and are often passed on to or inherited by future generations. However, on occasion, desperate or tragic circumstances can force even the most loathsome to put aside their differences. In Rams, two brothers and neighbours have not spoken in 40 years but a sickness in their community may demand change in more ways than one.

  • Review: ‘The Witch’ is creepy in ways totally unrelated to the title (Includes first-hand account)

    In spite of deep religious beliefs, fear and superstition was arguably an equal if not greater influence on the lives of early settlers. It’s one of the key reasons witch hunts have a significant role in American history. It was simpler to assign responsibility for unexplained and/or devastating events to an evil entity (Devil) or his servant than to endure it without recourse. By ridding themselves of the so-called perpetrator, they presumably remove the possibility of recurrence. In The Witch, an innocent lie snowballs into indefensible condemnation and self-fulfilling prophesy.

  • Review: All of this week’s releases take a step into the past

    This week’s releases include a family on the verge of cracking under the pressure of a new life; an investigation into an unspeakable crime; an attempt to relive a classic; and a genre-changing picture with a legacy that continues to this day.

  • Review: Hot Docs’ ‘PACmen’ expands on craziness of the 2016 US election (Includes first-hand account)

    The American electoral system is a strange beast with many influencing heads. The system itself is questionably multi-tiered, while it seems an unknown number of external groups can also attempt to sway the vote in their desired direction. In 2010, two Supreme Court decisions led to the creation of the political action committee (PAC), which made it legal for these entities to engage in unlimited political spending as long they did not make contributions to candidate campaigns or parties. Unlike traditional PACs, a super PAC can raise funds from individuals, corporations, unions, and other groups without any legal limit on donation size. In 2015, PACmen became the first film to go behind the curtain of one of these groups.

  • Review: ‘One Floor Below’ plays with audience expectations (Includes first-hand account)

    Voyeurism would appear to be a part of human beings’ genetic makeup. When passing an accident or emergency vehicle, people can’t help but glance or even stare — it’s called “rubbernecking.” “People watching” is considered a pastime by some, while leaning in to better hear a neighbour’s latest quarrel is just another form of eavesdropping that is a widely practiced amusement on public transit and in restaurants. But what if you inadvertently overhear something felonious or worse, you’re caught? One Floor Below faces this dilemma, but it doesn’t have the gangster results typically depicted.