Oh the things we do for money.
read more
If you grew up poor with knowledge of a generational wealth unjustly taken from you, what would you do?
How To Make a Killing builds itself upon this question. It follows the life of Becket Redfellow, whose mother was exiled from the wealthy Redfellow family for keeping her teenage pregnancy. One of the last things she says to him is to fight for the life he deserves to have. What follows is an almost predictable yet unlikely premise that makes a riotous cinematic experience (depending on which party you’re rooting for.)
Written and directed by John Patton Ford, How To Make a Killing is loosely inspired by the British film, Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). Starring Glen Powell as Becket, alongside Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris.
A now-grown Becket has finally had it with his mundane life while dreaming of what could be awaiting him at the end of the Redfellow bloodline. What else does he decide to do but eliminate every Redfellow in his way to claim his inheritance to the family fortune. What follows is a wild killing spree that defies logic as much as it exudes fun.
We don’t get to spend a lot of time with the other Redfellows before Becket ends their lives but the cousins Noah (Woods) and wannabe Justin Bieber-looking Pastor Steven (Grace) are amusing, scene-stealing standouts not only in life but also death. Both Woods and Grace bring an unhinged energy that works best in small doses to each of their characters respectively, earning them a more memorable sequence within the film.
That said, the success of How To Make a Killing rests on Powell’s shoulders and boy, does he know how to work a screen. Charismatic as all hell and ever so damningly beautiful, he seems the perfect fit to play a down-on-his-luck character with the face of an entitled heir. Plainly said, Powell’s the kind of guy who does love-to-hate characters best. Becket may have started off fine and easy to root for but is equally morally unjust the more we get to know him. Powell’s appeal is what gives the character a sympathetic edge that we’d otherwise write off.
All in all, How To Make a Killing is a fun romp at the cinemas when it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
read less