You Kill Me
by John Dahl
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ben Kingsley, Dennis Farina, Luke Wilson, Philip Baker Hall, Téa LeoniDirector: John Dahl
Brand: Genius
Producer: Al Corley
Producer: Allison Adams
Producer: Bart Rosenblatt
Producer: Carol Baum
Producer: Eugene Musso
Writer: Christopher Markus
Writer: Stephen McFeely
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 93 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-10-09
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Model: 80537
Studio: Ifc
Movie Reviews of You Kill Me
Movie Review: The 'Dead'-pan Comedy of '07
Summary: 5 Stars
Superbly executed in every aspect, John Dahl's "You Kill Me" is one of those rare black comedies that snaps and crackles with wit and verve without the slightest trace of self-consciousness. From budding screenwriting talents Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the morbid little tale is thoroughly engrossing and completely original.
Frank, portrayed by Sir Ben Kingsley, is a hit man for a sect of Poles who fight to maintain their culture and identity in Buffalo, New York against an onslaught of righteous Irish thugs who have muscled in on nearly all they have. Unfortunately, Frank is also a shameless drunk, and when it comes time for him to assassinate the clan's central figurehead Edward O'Leary, played by the always reliable Dennis Farina, he falls into a drunken stupor and misses the assignment.
At this point Frank's Uncle Roman, played by Philip Baker Hall, well known for his role as an overzealous library cop on a memorable "Seinfeld" episode, has had enough, even though Frank is family.
"Every time we send you out, I have to make a call to find out if they're dead!" he yells at his nephew. "I can't trust you anymore Frank!"
Roman, with help from his son Stef, played by Marcus Thomas, forces Frank to relocate to San Francisco to dry out, attend AA meetings and report to Dave, played with fervent zest by Bull Pullman, who phones back to Buffalo to report his progress.
The living embodiment of stoicism, Frank resists the move, the meetings and his forced job as a mortician's assistant, but he knows when he's licked and acquiesces. Along the way he befriends another alcoholic named Tom, played by Luke Wilson, and begins an unexpected relationship with Laurel, played to caustic perfection by Tea Leoni, who serves as one of the film's executive producers.
One of the best scenes involves Frank exploiting the `Anonymous' in Alcoholic's Anonymous when he makes a speech before the group.
"I don't know the exact definition of the word `alcoholic,' but from what I'm hearing here, it sounds like I'm a pretty good one," he says. "I'm an even better killer. I want to do it again. I will do it again. But I know now, the only way I'm ever gonna get to do it again is if I stop drinking."
She may be worldly-wise and rough around the edges, but Laurel is nevertheless uneasy about her new flame's lifestyle.
"Why should I bother?" she asks.
"Because you don't want to be alone any more than I do," he replies.
"You know, it's sad," she says. "But that's actually good enough for right now."
However, trouble takes on a new meaning back home in Buffalo, and before he knows it Frank is on the first plane out of San Francisco to set things straight the only we he can.
There is no better actor alive today than Kingsley, and "You Kill Me" adds another chapter to his book of successes. Despite his sharp, distinctive features and piercing eyes he never fails to immerse himself in every character he plays, so much so that it is easy to wonder just who is playing the part.
Furthermore, Leoni fits her role like a glove, and the perfectly cast Hall strikes the perfect balance between sly humor and understated pathos. He does not merely act the part of Stef's father, he becomes his father - and the results are a marvel to watch. Also, with his small part Wilson is essentially along for the ride to add Frat Pack credibility, but he is always a welcome asset to any film he plays in.
With a quirky, intricate storyline and a broad appeal that can just as easily win over elitist arthouse audiences as it can those seeking more mainstream fare, "You Kill Me" is head and shoulders above the majority of this year's films, making it a puzzle that it did not gain a wide theatrical release last summer. Dahl's directorial work is masterful, and Markus and McFeely create a story that is equal parts comedy and crime-drama with no compromise necessary.
Blockbuster's edition of the DVD contains exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.
Summary of You Kill Me
YOU KILL ME - DVD MovieBen Kingsley is remarkable in You Kill Me, a comedy-drama with an absurdist touch. The Oscar-winning British actor plays Frank Falenczyk, an alcoholic hitman from New York sent by his boss, Roman (Philip Baker Hall), to dry out in San Francisco just when a new crime lord (Dennis Farina) is moving in on Roman's turf. Frank reluctantly follows instructions and takes a Bay Area apartment, finds a part-time job as a mortician, and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Acquiring a thoughtful sponsor and friend (Luke Wilson) through AA, Frank begins reflecting seriously about his life and responsibilities, and even becomes romantically involved with a delightfully acerbic woman (Téa Leoni).
Feeling respected and loved in the early days of his sobriety, Frank does what a lot of people do in similar situations: take stock of past mistakes and be completely honest with everyone. When he reveals to his companions and AA group that he has, at times, seriously messed up his work as a killer because of booze, the universal response is supportive with only a streak of, well, moral ambivalence. From there, the sky's the limit for a hired gun with a boost in self-esteem. You Kill Me is the kind of movie that can get an audience to suspend disbelief significantly without drawing too much attention to that fact. But that doesn't mean the film's noir roots don't show. Director John Dahl (The Last Seduction) has made You Kill Me as tough as any other movie he's shot, and his fascination with human weakness and resilience in the face of unexpected obstacles enriches a wonderful story. --Tom Keogh
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