MovieChat Forums > The Hit (1985) Discussion > Willie Parker

Willie Parker

posted 15 years ago by emperorpasta
6 replies | jump to latest

I discovered this gem a couple of weeks ago. As a fan of Stephen Frears' work, and a lover of noirs/crime films, I was pleasantly surprised. It is one of the few films that utilizes its locations- sunny, open Spain- as a great counter-point to the bleakness of the material. In that respect, it reminded me of Bertrand Tavernier's great COUP DE TOURCHON, described as a "noir soleil" (a "sunny noir").

My only real gripe with the film is Willie Parker's motivation throughout the film. Terence Stamp stated in an interview that he believed Parker was in a sort of limbo during his Spanish exile- living life, but constantly aware of his impending death. Therefore, when he is picked up by Tim Roth and John Hurt, his light-heartedness is an expression of his inner peace. His smiles are not fueled by arrogance, or psychological play. They are fueled by the notion that he knows he is going to die, has known so for years, and accepts it as his inevitable fate.

But then why, why does he attempt to escape the thugs who break into his apartment? Wouldn't it have been more effective, and telling, for his character to break into one of the aforementioned smiles and utter a simple line such as "I knew you'd find me"...?

I would have believed the character's psychology more if he had gone from the attempted escape, to fear, to ultimately accepting death. As it plays out, he is a one-note enigma that is never fully explored.

Anyone see where I am coming from?

Just curious. Regardless, the superb direction, music, acting and unique locations make this a wonderful little film.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] kaream 15 years ago

But then why, why does he attempt to escape the thugs who break into his apartment? Wouldn't it have been more effective, and telling, for his character to break into one of the aforementioned smiles and utter a simple line such as "I knew you'd find me"...?

It's the wrong guys. Parker has been expecting and has resigned himself to the righteous revenge of his old English gang, not a random bunch of cheap Spanish hoodlums. This is terribly wrong from his point of view.

[–] CalvinJarrett 15 years ago

Good point, kaream. Remember that scene where Willie intimates to Braddock that his noly fear was that Corrigan might send "rubbish" to do him in. That might have been his fear (and reason for fighting back) when he found the Spanish hoods in his apartment. But when he realized they were just the temporary kidnappers used to transport him to Braddock (and Myron), his idea of how he should meet his end is left intact. Not necessarilly Myron, but Braddock certainly meets the conception he had for the sort of cold, calculating 'professional,' he felt befit "the hit" that he is. It's very much an exploration of man's arrogance.

[–] aplantage 12 years ago

Even though he does want "the job done proper", I don't think it's necessary to assume that Parker thought that these weren't Corrigan's people. I think it's more likely that he understood that immediately, because he had just heard that Corrigan was out of jail, they sent a cop to protect him etc.

If you find his first fear unconvincing, you might find his ultimate breakdown unconvincing as well. I think he just fluctuates in and out of his zen-like complacency, because his theory is difficult to live up to in practice. I find it quite convincing that bouts of fear would return when actually confronted with threat, otherwise he would be super-human. Braddock at first is also almost super-human, but he unravels more and more. Ultimately Braddock profits more from Parker's philosophy than Parker does himself, because he lets the girl go and at least has some consoling words to think of while dying (when there is no escape for him any longer either).

[–] KutWrite (1334) 6 years ago

I agree about the fluctuation.

That explains why he loses the cop on the bicycle, then does a sort of "oh, damn!" body language when he's finally caught on the upper balcony of his house.

He must've had some dough stashed away to afford that nice place all those years.

[–] 12 years ago

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