June 8th 2024.
Netflix has once again captured our attention with their latest film, Hit Man, featuring the talented Glen Powell. Whether it's through their terrifying horror movies, star-studded cameos, or surprisingly popular but not-so-great films, Netflix never fails to keep us on our toes.
But this time, they've outdone themselves with this collaboration between director Richard Linklater and Hollywood's rising star, Glen Powell. Hit Man is not your typical rom-com, as it follows the story of a nerdy professor, played by Powell, who also happens to be a hit man for the police department.
Critics have been raving about this film, giving it a remarkable 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's been called everything from "a complete original" to a movie that "keeps you on your toes." And the best part? It's based on a true story.
The film's synopsis highlights this fact, and we all know how much we love a movie based on real-life events. So, let's dive into the extraordinary story of Gary Johnson, the inspiration behind Hit Man.
Linklater and Powell credit Johnson as a remarkable individual, with a background that most would find hard to believe. In the film, Powell portrays Johnson, who plays up to 40 different assassin characters, each with their distinct personalities. And to make things even more intriguing, one of these characters has an uncanny resemblance to the talented Tilda Swinton, while another looks like Severus Snape from Harry Potter.
But things take a dangerous turn when Johnson finds himself attracted to one of his clients, played by the stunning Adria Arjona. The chemistry between Powell and Arjona is sizzling, and it's no surprise that their steamy scenes have caught the attention of viewers.
But how much of this film is true? And where is the real Gary Johnson now? Well, the movie does take some creative liberties with the killings, as acknowledged by the production team. However, the real story of Johnson is just as captivating.
Back in 2001, a Texas Monthly article caught Linklater's attention, introducing him to the unique work and background of Gary Johnson. He had been working as a fake hit man for the police department, and his acting skills were so impressive that he had been hired by more than 60 people to "kill" their enemies or romantic rivals.
The article even went as far as calling him "the Laurence Olivier of the field." But in his everyday life, Johnson was a simple man who loved gardening, classical music, and his two cats, Ego and Id.
Johnson's story began in 1989 when he was working as an investigator for the district attorney's office. He was approached with a murder-for-hire case, and this was when he first adopted his "badass biker" hit man persona, Mike Caine.
His clients ranged from wealthy individuals to working-class people, young and old, and from various professions. They would hire Johnson to take out their enemies, romantic rivals, or even their former loved ones. One of his clients even became infatuated with one of his alter-egos, suggesting they perform a particular sex act on the hood of her Cadillac.
It's no wonder that Linklater found this story so intriguing, and he knew just the person to bring it to life - Glen Powell. The two had worked together before, and Powell was the one who introduced Linklater to the article in the first place.
Together, they delved into Johnson's police debriefs, meeting all the different fake hit men he had created. Powell described him as a "compelling actor" despite being someone who would typically go unnoticed in a room. But when he put on his personas, people couldn't believe it was the same person.
Sadly, the real Gary Johnson passed away in 2022, a week before the film's production began. The film is dedicated to his memory, and Linklater was the only one who had the chance to meet him. Powell wishes he could have met him too, as he could see the reverence Linklater had for him.
Hit Man may have taken some creative liberties with Johnson's story, but it's still an engrossing tale. And it's thanks to Johnson's real-life client, who was in danger from her ex-husband, that the film has its romantic and comedic elements.
Hit Man is a unique and genre-bending film that has something for everyone. And with Powell's and Arjona's sizzling chemistry, it's no wonder it's making waves on Netflix. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the gripping story of Gary Johnson, streaming now on Netflix.
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