As the film opens, we are introduced to Joe (Nicolas Cage), a hit man for hire. He lives a lonely life, as dictated by his rules. Those rules include never leaving a trace, always finishing a job, never taking an interest in people, and knowing when to get out. Good rules to use when you take up this line of work, and rules that will be put to the test over the course of the film.
Joe - if that's his real name - has landed that one big job that will put him over the top and send him into retirement. He is to go to Bangkok for four hits and then fade into the world. Joe arrives in the Thai city and begins to size up the situation. He goes about setting up his operation, obtaining suitable help and getting down to it.
He teams with Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm), a young man who works tourists for their cash. Kong becomes the go-between for Joe and his benefactors. This mainly involves transporting briefcases to and from a local dance club, each case containing the target and the necessary equipment.
Naturally, not everything goes as planned. Actually, his work in Thailand becomes increasingly complicated. Joe is reaching a crossroads; his desire for human interaction begins to overtake his need to complete all jobs he is hired for. These complications include developing a friendship with Kong, and his budding relationship with a deaf-mute girl who works at a pharmacy.
To describe further runs the risk of taking away from the film, which I found fascinating to watch. I have never been the biggest fan of Nicolas Cage, yet, more often than not, he turns in a good performance. Here, his long face (and increasingly worsening hair) and sad eyes work toward internalizing a great deal of pain and sadness that is coming to a breaking point.
Article comments