I Put a Hit on You

Last updated
I Put a Hit on You
Directed by Dane Clark
Linsey Stewart
Written byDane Clark
Linsey Stewart
Produced byJordan Gross
Mike MacMillan
Starring Sara Canning
Aaron Ashmore
Cinematography James Klopko
Edited byJonathan Eagan
Music by Paul Aucoin
Production
company
Lithium Studios
Distributed by Mongrel Media
Release date
Running time
78 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

I Put a Hit on You is a 2014 Canadian romantic comedy thriller film, written and directed by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. [1] The film stars Sara Canning as Harper, a woman whose attempt to propose marriage to her boyfriend Ray (Aaron Ashmore) goes awry and turns into a breakup; that night, she drunkenly hires a stranger over the internet to kill Ray, but regretting her actions a few hours later she has to go over to his apartment to prevent the hitman (Danny Smith) from going through with it. [2]

Contents

The cast also includes Heather Sande, Jonathan Llyr, Sarah Evans and Darrell Faria in supporting roles.

Production and distribution

Clark and Stewart's feature debut, the film entered production in 2012, with shooting commencing in Toronto on November 20. [3] It was shot for a budget of less than $250,000. [4]

The soundtrack includes music by Young Galaxy, The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Deadly Snakes, Austra and Diana. [5]

The film premiered at the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival, [1] and was screened at various film festivals in both Canada and the United States before going into limited commercial release in January 2015, with its commercial premiere taking place at Toronto's Royal Cinema. [4]

Critical response

Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "eventually the humor becomes overly repetitive, stretching for high concept but coming up short. Even Clark and Stewart’s tight script can’t find enough to do with the actors, as the film’s brief runtime begins showing wear midway through. Partly it’s due to the unlikely characterization of Harper as practically Internet-ignorant — not so plausible for a contemporary late-20s career woman. The idea that she could “accidentally” put a hit on Ray and not understand the implications of online communication strains credibility." [1]

Brian Tallerico of Film Threat was more positive, writing that "Clark & Stewart’s script is smarter than the premise may first lead you to believe but it’s the performances that really elevate it. Ashmore seems genuine but this is Canning’s movie and one hopes that it gets this talented actress more exposure. She takes an incredibly difficult task – to make a woman who accidentally tries to kill her boyfriend likable to the point that we even root for this relationship to work out – and delivers on it. If one steps back and considers the tonal juggling act inherent in the very set-up of I Put a Hit on You, it’s impossible not to admire how it turned out." [6]

Kevin Jagernauth of IndieWire was more mixed, writing that "from the start, even as far as the latitude that high concept comedies allow, “I Put A Hit On You” is fairly implausible. The phrase, “Why don’t you just…” will be a familiar one uttered aloud by anyone watching the movie. The decisions made by Harper and Ray are sometimes baffling, and often feel inorganic, mostly to serve the needs of the plot. But on the other hand, Clark and Stewart seem acutely aware their film is slight to begin with, and the tone is appropriately lightweight. Canning and Ashmore hit the right chemistry of a couple uniting in the face of a rather absurd and dangerous situation, but still distanced by the issues in their relationship. And while it never gets quite laugh-out-loud funny, there is a low-key charm and energy to the proceedings that keeps everything breezy in the brief 80-minute film." [5]

Awards

The film received a Canadian Comedy Award nomination for Best Film at the 16th Canadian Comedy Awards. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Cook</span> American actor and comedian (born 1972)

Dane Jeffrey Cook is an American stand-up comedian and film actor. He is known for his use of observational, often vulgar, and sometimes dark comedy. He has released six comedy albums: Harmful If Swallowed (2003), Retaliation (2005), Vicious Circle (2006), Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden (2007), and Isolated Incident (2009).

Ruth Lowe was a Canadian pianist and songwriter. She composed the first Billboard top 80 song "I'll Never Smile Again".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Ashmore</span> Canadian actor (born 1979)

Aaron Richard Ashmore is a Canadian actor. He is known for his roles on American television series such as Jimmy Olsen on Smallville, Steve Jinks on Warehouse 13 and Johnny Jaqobis on the Canadian television series Killjoys. He is the identical twin brother of actor Shawn Ashmore.

Suze may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sara Canning</span> Canadian actress

Sara Canning is a Canadian actress. She co-starred on The CW television series The Vampire Diaries as Jenna Sommers, and appeared in the 2009 feature film, Black Field. She starred as Dylan Weir in the Canadian television series, Primeval: New World, and as Dr. Melissa Conner on the Global medical drama Remedy. Canning appeared in the 2017 theatrical film War for the Planet of the Apes. She is also known for her role as Jacquelyn Scieszka in the Netflix TV series A Series of Unfortunate Events.

<i>Tammy and the T-Rex</i> 1994 film by Stewart Raffill

Tammy and the T-Rex is a 1994 American science fiction comedy film directed by Stewart Raffill and written by Raffill and Gary Brockette. The film, which stars Terry Kiser, Ellen Dubin, Denise Richards, Paul Walker, George Pilgrim, and John Franklin, centers around a high school student named Tammy, whose boyfriend Michael has his brain implanted in the body of a robotic Tyrannosaurus rex by a mad scientist.

<i>Hes Way More Famous Than You</i> 2013 American film

He's Way More Famous Than You is a 2013 American comedy film written by and starring Halley Feiffer and Ryan Spahn, and directed by Michael Urie, who also costars. The film also stars Jesse Eisenberg, Ben Stiller, Mamie Gummer, Ralph Macchio, Vanessa Williams, Tracee Chimo, Austin Pendleton, and Michael Chernus. It premiered at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Gravitas Ventures and for theatrical distribution.

<i>The F Word</i> (2013 film) 2013 romantic comedy film by Michael Dowse

The F Word is a 2013 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Dowse from a screenplay by Elan Mastai, based on the play Toothpaste and Cigars by TJ Dawe and Michael Rinaldi. It stars Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan as two young people who meet and, because she has a boyfriend, decide to be "friends". The supporting cast includes Megan Park, Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, and Rafe Spall.

<i>The Dirties</i> 2013 Canadian film

The Dirties is a 2013 Canadian found footage thriller film and the directorial debut of Matt Johnson. It has received praise from critics as well as numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival. Kevin Smith, who helped distribute the film, dubbed The Dirties "the most important movie you will see all year."

<i>Copenhagen</i> (2014 film) Film

Copenhagen is an independent Canadian-American coming-of-age adventure film. It had its world premiere as the opening narrative feature at the 20th anniversary edition of the Slamdance Film Festival 2014. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Florida Film Festival and Gasparilla Film Festival.

<i>Body</i> (2015 American film) 2015 American film

Body is a 2015 American thriller film written and directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen in their directorial debut. It stars Helen Rogers, Alexandra Turshen, Lauren Molina, and Larry Fessenden. During a wild night of partying, three women realize that they have gotten into more trouble than they expected. Body premiered on January 25, 2015, at the Slamdance Film Festival.

<i>Diamond Tongues</i> 2015 Canadian film

Diamond Tongues is a 2015 Canadian comedy-drama film directed by Pavan Moondi and Brian Robertson. It stars July Talk band member Leah Fay Goldstein as a struggling actress who descends into a downward spiral of depression, narcissism and cruelty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Lalonde</span> Canadian filmmaker

Jeremy LaLonde is a Canadian filmmaker. He is known for his work in Canadian film and television.

<i>Buddymoon</i> 2016 American film

Buddymoon is a 2016 American independent comedy film directed by Alex Simmons; written by Simmons, Flula Borg, and David Giuntoli; and starring Borg and Giuntoli. It is the story of a former child actor (Giuntoli) whose fiancée leaves him days before their wedding. In an effort to cheer him up, his best friend and would-be best man (Borg) convinces him that the two of them should go on the planned honeymoon trip together.

<i>Happiest Season</i> 2020 film by Clea DuVall

Happiest Season is a 2020 American holiday romantic comedy-drama film directed by Clea DuVall, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mary Holland. Starring an ensemble cast consisting of Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, and Mary Steenburgen, the film follows a woman who struggles to admit to her conservative parents that she is a lesbian while she and her girlfriend visit them during Christmas. DuVall has said the film is a semi-autobiographical take on her own experiences with her family.

<i>Tammys Always Dying</i> 2019 film directed by Amy Jo Johnson

Tammy's Always Dying is a 2019 Canadian black comedy film directed by Amy Jo Johnson and written by Joanne Sarazen. It stars Felicity Huffman, Anastasia Phillips, Jessica Greco, Clark Johnson, Lauren Holly, Aaron Ashmore and Kristian Bruun.

Suze is a 2023 Canadian comedy-drama film, written and directed by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart. The film stars Michaela Watkins as Suze, a woman whose feelings of empty nest syndrome after her daughter Brooke moves away to attend university lead her to become a doting mother figure to Brooke's ex-boyfriend Gage even though she never liked him at all when he and Brooke were dating.

<i>Old Stock</i> (film) 2012 Canadian film

Old Stock is a 2012 Canadian romantic comedy-drama film, directed by James Genn.

Dane Clark is a Canadian film director and screenwriter from Toronto, Ontario, most noted as co-director with his wife Linsey Stewart of the films I Put a Hit on You and Suze.

Linsey Stewart is a Canadian film director and screenwriter from Toronto, Ontario, most noted as co-director with her husband Dane Clark of the films I Put a Hit on You and Suze.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Justin Lowe, "I Put a Hit on You: Slamdance Review". The Hollywood Reporter , January 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ "I Put a Hit on You Review". That Shelf, January 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ Etan Vlessing, "Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart to direct I Put a Hit on You". Playback , November 12, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Julianna Cummins, "Coming Soon: I Put a Hit on You". Playback , January 9, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Kevin Jagernauth, "Slamdance Review: Love Is Deadly In ‘I Put A Hit On You’". IndieWire , January 19, 2014.
  6. ↑ Brian Tallerico, "I Put a Hit on You". Film Threat , January 19, 2014.
  7. ↑ Travis Mealing, "Shot-in-Midland movie nominated for Canadian Comedy Awards". Midland Mirror, July 3, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.