Joe Mantegna is always a good watch, and the script is good also. Though somewhat convoluted in the way things conveniently happen, "For Hire" still delivers enough entertainment to be considered above average. Character development is good, and the story slowly paced. If you are willing to overlook the loose threads left hanging, then this is totally acceptable. If you are going to over analyze each plot point, then this is not your movie. Like another reviewer mentioned, the film is "Mamet-like", so if you are a fan of "House of Games", then seek this one out. If you need instant action, explosions, and car chases, you should definitely pass on "For Hire". - MERK
4 Reviews
Good twist but ending could have been better.
ipswich-223 April 2000
Cab Driver Mitch Lawrence (Rob Lowe), diagnosed with interminable cancer and given less than six months to live, decides to take up a $50,000 offer from his client Lou Webber (Joe Mantegna) to eliminate a drug dealer who is stalking him. Reluctantly Mitch, who needs the cash for his family, commits the murder, and then his whole life goes into a tailspin. This is a very good movie until perhaps the last third, when the plot sadly degenerates into a 'let's chase and catch the bad guy' sequence. Any movie with Joe Mantegna is usually a plus point but in this case, he is sadly out of form and his character under developed.
Terrible
roammd19 September 2011
Nothing redeeming about this movie.
The "twist" is obvious from the first 5 minutes and it's been done better hundreds of times. A man of means somehow needs a loser to do his dirty work, or does he?? The plot is so thin and the production values so low it could pass for an '80's made for TV movie.
The main character is unlikeable and there is no tenderness between him and his pregnant girlfriend--the supposed pathos driving his motivation.
Too slow, poorly filmed, unhumorous, shallow characters, poor performances.
Watch Fletch (yes, again) or Strangers on a Train instead.
The "twist" is obvious from the first 5 minutes and it's been done better hundreds of times. A man of means somehow needs a loser to do his dirty work, or does he?? The plot is so thin and the production values so low it could pass for an '80's made for TV movie.
The main character is unlikeable and there is no tenderness between him and his pregnant girlfriend--the supposed pathos driving his motivation.
Too slow, poorly filmed, unhumorous, shallow characters, poor performances.
Watch Fletch (yes, again) or Strangers on a Train instead.
Very good film, similar to David Mamet films.
rhare2 January 1999
This was a very good film. It had the same feel as the David Mamet films "A Spanish Prisoner" and "House of Games". If you liked those movies you will like this one. It even has Joe Mantegna in the movie. He was in "House of Games".
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
