MOVIE: WILD TARGET

Wild Target is a remake of the classic French comedy, Cible Emouvante by British director Jonathan Lynn. Starring Bill Nighy as a middle-aged, socially awkward assassin, Victor Maynard, who falls for his intended target, the free-spirited Rose (Emily Blunt).  Along for the ride is the hapless but sweet-natured Tony (Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame) who thinks he has landed on his feet as Victor’s apprentice. Victor must battle with his possessive mother, a Norma Bates clone, whilst Rose gets in the way of his plastic-covered furniture and Bonsai trimming life – a life that has allowed him to get his hits done cleanly and efficiently. But his true battle is in his affection for the charming art-thief, Rose. There were some colourful scenes through London, especially Rose’s bike ride through the National Gallery, and some exciting fight scenes, in particular an ear being blown off (a modern Van Gogh?) but ultimately I wasn’t convinced of the unlikely romance and the film left me feeling robbed myself.  (AH)