‘’The Hitman’s Bodyguard’’ is an R-rated action-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. It was directed by Patrick Hughes on a $30 million budget. The movie made a $21m opening but then dropped the following two weekends. Just over a month after its release, this Lionsgate and Millennium offering has earned $70.6 million in North America and now has a total revenue of $141m worldwide. Although it has been out for more than a month, the movie is still being played in cinemas all over the world. It seems that the audience interest is mostly generated through word-of-mouth recommendations.

Love-hate relationship

The plot revolves around two guys who have a love-hate relationship. Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is the titular bodyguard who gets a call from his ex Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung) to protect a notorious hitman (Samuel L. Jackson). There is bad blood between these two, as Kincaid tried to kill Bryce many times.

Bryce accepts the job, mainly because he's still in love with his ex, but keeping Kincaid safe is no piece of cake because he loves to get in trouble and never goes down without a fight. Kincaid is a target as he’s the only one whose testimony could finally put the merciless dictator of Belarus, Vlasdislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), behind bars.

The clock is ticking as the two try to make it from London to the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

On their way there, they get rid of the bad guys but fight among themselves, too. When Bryce finds out it was Kincaid and not his ex who cost him his previous job, he is furious. However, he can’t leave Kincaid high and dry and the two eventually make it to the court and save the day.

Love puts the two together

While there is a lot of action and humor in the movie, it could be argued that it’s love that puts things in motion.

The only reason Kincaid is willing to testify against Dukhovich is that his hot-headed wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) would be released from prison. Although the two seem to argue a lot, it can't be denied that a great love binds them together.

Bryce accepts the job of protecting Kincaid because his ex-girlfriend asked him to and because he’s still in love with her.

The two were in an argument because Bryce thought Amelia was somehow involved in the incident that cost him his job but it turns out it was Kincaid’s fault. Eventually, Bryce apologizes to her and they make up. Some kind of love is developed between Bruce and Kincaid as well, as they manage to bury the hatchet and go their separate ways as friends.

Great fun

The movie offers undeniable comedic banter between Reynolds and Jackson. Salma Hayek did an amazing job in the movie and her prisoner scenes really add to the humor. Things don’t get boring; the movie will keep you on the edge of your seat and you’ll laugh a lot. Although the movie earned a 39 percent rating on “Rotten Tomatoes”, many would argue it’s worth seeing.
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