THE BULLETIN • APRIL 8 - 14, 2021
TV • PAGE 27
BY JAY BOBBIN
Reynolds plays ‘Bodyguard’ to Jackson
“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is the kind of movie where you check your brain at the start – that’s almost a
requirement – but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t supply some moments of fun.
That’s almost a given, considering that the movie – which TNT shows Friday, April 16, and Saturday,
April 17 – teams Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, two performers well-known for their bemused and
bemusing styles. Who plays which character could go either way, but in this case, it’s Reynolds playing the
flawed-security-man bodyguard to Jackson’s professional killer ... who knows too much and is ready to talk.
The two of them strive to stay alive as they cross Europe together, just barely ahead of their enemies as they
make escapes through London, Amsterdam and other scenic areas via speedboat, motorcycle and various other
means.
As it happens, the characters have crossed paths before, on occasions when Jackson was targeting people
Reynolds was protecting. The altering of their meaning to each other is an interesting wrinkle, but it’s never
explored deeply as if to give each a new and full appreciation of the other – not when the movie can make hay
out of their mutual firing of insults as they try to stay alive.
It’s not hard to see where Jackson is going to take this, and that’s a measure of how familiar his persona
has become. That’s also not a criticism; the makers of “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” clearly knew just who they
wanted for that role, and they got him.
The surprise is perhaps a bit more on the part
of Reynolds, but only a bit. He’s had plenty of
variety in his roles ... and while they’re all part
and parcel of the same actor, it can be fun to
see which persona he’ll draw upon. He plays
it pretty straight here, owing not only to his
character’s occupation but also to help serve
Jackson, who surely is no wallflower.
Overall, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”
will put your mind to more use than “The
Hitman’s Bodyguard” does, but there are worse
ways to spend two hours than in the company
of the good-spirited Jackson and Reynolds. And
Salma Hayek has some pretty lively scenes as
Jackson’s wife, to the extent that a sequel built
around her is slated for release later this year.
No one ever will mistake “The Hitman’s
Bodyguard” for screen greatness, but thanks to
Samuel L. Jackson (left)
the knowing winks the film and its stars give
and Ryan Reynolds
more than once, it’s OK for what it is.
Solution on page 18