Product Description

A street-smart mob comedy about a hitman (Kingsley) with a drinking problem that gets in the way of his killing. When mismatched people find a common calling the most unlikely relationships are formed and explored through dead-on performances by Kingsley, Wilson and Leoni.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17775 in DVD
• Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
• Released on: 2007-10-09
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.com
Ben Kingsley is remarkable in You Kill Me, a comedy-drama with an absurdist touch. The Oscar-winning British actor plays Frank Falenczyk, an alcoholic hitman from New York sent by his boss, Roman (Philip Baker Hall), to dry out in San Francisco just when a new crime lord (Dennis Farina) is moving in on Roman's turf. Frank reluctantly follows instructions and takes a Bay Area apartment, finds a part-time job as a mortician, and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Acquiring a thoughtful sponsor and friend (Luke Wilson) through AA, Frank begins reflecting seriously about his life and responsibilities, and even becomes romantically involved with a delightfully acerbic woman (Téa Leoni).

Feeling respected and loved in the early days of his sobriety, Frank does what a lot of people do in similar situations: take stock of past mistakes and be completely honest with everyone. When he reveals to his companions and AA group that he has, at times, seriously messed up his work as a killer because of booze, the universal response is supportive with only a streak of, well, moral ambivalence. From there, the sky's the limit for a hired gun with a boost in self-esteem. You Kill Me is the kind of movie that can get an audience to suspend disbelief significantly without drawing too much attention to that fact. But that doesn't mean the film's noir roots don't show. Director John Dahl (The Last Seduction) has made You Kill Me as tough as any other movie he's shot, and his fascination with human weakness and resilience in the face of unexpected obstacles enriches a wonderful story. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

A Killer DVD!
"You Kill Me" is a great "little" movie about a Polish hit-man from a snow plowing family in Buffalo, NY. Played by Ben Kingsley, the title character is a drunk that has to go to rehab or be kicked out of the family. (most likely,killed). He moves to San Fran and joins AA. Gets a job at a funeral home and meets the girl of his dreams. If you like quirky independent films that are more story than showy, this movie is for you. Great performance by Luke Wilson as well. Much funnier than the title suggests, and one to savor with the rest of your collection.

Black Comedy that's actually funny
Tea Leoni and Ben Kingsly are the perfect complement to each other in this brutally honest spoof of AA. Having been to a few meetings myself, I can speak from experience that the 12 step program can be cut to one easy step -- shut-up and quit, snivelers! Ben is completely believable as a contract killer too drunk to pull the trigger. And Tea shines as her normal, very funny and smart self. Luke Wilson wanders around aimlessly like he was added at the last minute for a name credit. What a relief to watch a movie that doesn't start slow and end with a disappointment. These two trade barbs with the precision of Irish Clog Dancers. Not only will you find yourself laughing out loud, you will also find yourself shedding a tear of happiness toward the end. If you don't find this flick LOL funny then you should trade in your blue jeans for and white collar and sulk into a seminary until you find your sense of humor. Keep it up Tea, cheers to you and Ben!!!

Gandhi Gets a Gun
It's very tough to find a great actor, and tougher to find a great script. This movie meets both.

An alcoholic gangster assassin named Frank (Kingsley) is encouraged to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings because he can't do his job well due to his drinking problem. One night his cohorts find him sleeping while at 'work'. At one of the AA meetings he tells people what he does for a living. When asked if he isn't afraid of being caught, he finds comfort in the anonymity of his new found circle of friends.

There is a lot of violence, but with lively Bohemian music in the background, the movie never loses its comedic touch.

This story is dark humor at its best.