Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

It's different from your standard mobster film, that's for sure. Occasionally, it gets serious, but mostly, it's a comedy, somewhat dark in nature. I'm talking about You Kill Me starring Ben Kingsley and Tea Leoni. Directed by John Dahl, this movie definitely made me laugh a few times, and smile several times.

Ben Kingsley is Frank. Frank is a killer. That's his job. He only kills bad guys, though, so I guess that makes it OK. He works for his uncle, the local Polish Mob boss. The problem is that Frank is an alcoholic. And his drinking has really gotten out of control. So much so that he completely botches his latest job. Slept right through it. To say his uncle is unhappy is putting it mildly. But Frank's his nephew so he gives him one chance. Go to San Francisco, and dry out. Frank's options: do it, or "else".

Thus Frank goes to San Fran where a local real estate agent (Bill Pullman) will be watching his every move, and reporting back to the boss. He sets Frank up in a nice apartment, and gets him a job. Most importantly, he pushes Frank into the A.A. program.

Frank is reluctant, at first. But slowly he comes around, and starts working the program. His sponsor Tom (Luke Wilson) helps him out. As does his new girlfriend Laurel (Tea Leoni). Part of Frank's recovery includes being honest with those around him, and he takes this to heart. Thus he tells Laurel about his alcoholism, and his profession. Then he opens up in a meeting. Basically explaining what he does for a living, and expressing sadness that his drinking keeps him from getting back to his job.

Thus the entire A.A. membership (and we, the viewers) are rooting for our protagonist to sober up, so he can go back, and continue his work as a hit man. It's a bit bizarre, and a tad unrealistic, but remember, this is a comedy. Thus we have to just accept that no one turns him in, and that Laurel wants to stick with a man 20+ years her senior, who's a drunk and a killer.

I enjoyed the movie. It's fairly light, and has quite a bit of comedy in it. There's some violence, but nothing too graphic. Ben Kingsley was terrific. He does mobster fairly well, but he does alcoholic very well. I thought he looked the part to perfection. You could see his character fight the demons inside, and struggle for every minute of sobriety.

Tea Leoni does a fine job as Laurel, but her character is not developed too well. We're told she has "boundary issues", and she doesn't care for her stepfather. But other than that, she's a bit of mystery. And I found her behavior to be quite unrealistic. I didn't understand her willingness to stand by Frank in the first place. Then in an odd twist, she becomes weirdly excited by his line of business. With no back story on her, none of this made a lot of sense.

Luke Wilson is completely wasted in this movie. His role was small, and rather insignificant.

I don't know a lot about the A.A. program, so I don't know if the meetings were depicted realistically or not. But I did feel that the movie treated the A.A. program with respect. It never seemed to be making fun of the program, nor did it belittle the members, or poke fun at alcoholism.

I think this was an enjoyable movie. Language and violence make it inappropriate for kids, but most adults will like it.


Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age