Hot Take: I’m not sure Mr. Right was a good movie but it was a lot of fun.

There’s a lot of things you can say about films written by Max Landis. Usually, boring isn’t one of them. The Landis’ penned Mr. Right is uneven, ludicrous, over-the-top and silly. It’s also a lot of fun and bolstered by the chemistry of Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick who make the most of this rom-com meets action thriller. Sure, we’ve seen this before. John Cusack and Minnie Driver did it in Grosse Pointe Blank 19 years ago and did it a little bit better but Mr. Right is fun from beginning to end and well worth the 96 minute investment.

As for the movie’s unevenness and over-the-top silliness, the effect seems crafted and on purpose and the actors, writer and director are all in on it which makes such a thing actually work. Rockwell and Kendrick play off each other as well as any rom-com couple in recent memory. Rockwell especially eats up his role as a hitman with a moral code. Kendrick, for better or worse, has a Tom Hanks complex. She seems to play herself in every role she’s in but it works. There are worse things in the world than being the female Tom Hanks.

With the exception of a few scenes surrounding some uninspired bad guys (with the exception of The Rza as Shotgun Steve), Mr. Right is a joy to watch. Rockwell and Kendrick look to be having the time of their lives as Martha and Francis. (Sorry!) If you’re looking for logic and cohesion, Mr. Right might be all wrong for you. If you’re willing to accept it’s quirky, screwball nature and have a little fun amidst the violence of a wanted hitman trying to get the girl, then swipe right for Mr. Right.

“Spoiler Free” Pros

  • Rockwell and Kendrick
    Separating the two would be a cheap and easy way to list two pros but the pair are a delight together on screen. Rockwell could carry the movie on his own but Kendrick’s comedic timing and borderline insane quirks help do some of the heavier lifting.
  • Shotgun Steve
    There are characters written that feel like they would work no matter who plays the role. That’s not saying The Rza isn’t great in the role but Shotgun Steve is one of said characters.

“Spoiler Free” Cons

  • The Bad Guys
    For the most part, outside of Shotgun Steve, the clichés presented as villains in Mr. Right drag down the movie a little. Even the casting of Tim Roth as the guy Tim Roth plays in what seems like every other movie is a little bit annoying.
  • Do Cops Not Exist In New Orleans?
    Sorry but at some point during a shoot out or a knife fight or some other very public disturbance, there should be an officer of the law making an appearance. Maybe there are a lot of donut shops in New Orleans and everyone is too distracted?