HIT & RUN

‘Hit & Run’ is a modest film, but one that thankfully understands its limitations, and doesn’t try to be more than it is. The story becomes quirkily complicated as more characters enter the chase, but none of them seem superfluous, and the cast size doesn’t blow out of proportion. Sure, some characters are only there for comic effect, like Charlie’s hapless and trigger-incompetent protection officer Randy (Tom Arnold), and a strange gay subplot seems a bit out of place, but this just adds to the strange charm of the film.

Shepard and Bell have very clear chemistry (the pair are together in real life), and Shepard has such a laid-back ease that he becomes an unexpectedly likable straight man amidst the chaos. Cooper makes a surprisingly intelligent choice as Alex, choosing to make him quietly threatening rather than full-blown psychopath, and in a strange way, proves once again that he is someone worth paying attention to. Also of note are Michael Rosenbaum as Annie’s awful and delusional ex-boyfriend Gil, who is convinced Charlie is a serial killer and helps Alex track them down. And, as to be expected from her, Kristin Chenoweth steals the screen as Annie’s boss Debbie, a pill-popping alcoholic schools administrator with a solid heart. Something about Chenoweth makes her thrilling to watch whether she’s wholesome, straight-down-the-line, or camp white trash.

There are a few points where the narrative stumbles (especially Alex’s backstory), and the screenplay isn’t watertight, but there’s a lot to be charmed by with ‘Hit & Run’. It’s a fun throwback to an old-style of diesel-fuelled filmmaking, with a strong and welcome feminine kick. The car chases are great, well-executed and shot, and unusual enough to keep you watching (look out for the chase in the abandoned air field, like something from a 60s chase caper). While it might not have much staying power, ‘Hit & Run’ is definitely an entertaining way to spend an hour and a half.

Special Features were unavailable to preview, but the disc will include cast Interviews, behind the scenes footage and the film's trailer.

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