‘Dusk for a Hitman’ review: More than just a killer with a conscience

Dusk for a Hitman sounds like it is going to be just another crime thriller with a conscience. Donald Lavoie (Eri Bruneau) is caught in a dilemma. The professional killer is tasked to kill his own brother. He is given an out, however. All he has to do is provide evidence against the crime boss he works for.

The set-up all but guarantees a formulaic film. There are a number of stories about hitmen and assassins who have been ordered to kill someone they love. There is a lot of hand-wringing due to the supposedly deep moral quandary which is usually made moot when one party is made out to be absolutely awful while the other is just someone put in a bad situation. It usually ends up being more corny than actually good.

Dusk for a Hitman gets around some of these problems by not making Lavoie out to be an antihero. He is a cold-blooded murderer as seen by how callously he is able to carry out his jobs. He may have a family that he cares for, but there is little arguing that he is a bad person. Unfortunately, the film does not dispense with these moments entirely and the weakest scenes are when the film attempts to paint Lavoie in a more sympathetic light. 

For the most part, the film adequately concentrates on what is a truly difficult decision. Does Lavoie turn on the man who has enabled him to live a comfortable life or does he kill the brother he loves? It is not as easy as it sounds and Dusk for a Hitman does an excellent job of showcasing the internal struggle.

The character driven plot leaves little room for the gun play or fast paced action normally found in these types of films. Ultimately, how much a person enjoys Dusk for a Hitman will depend on how much they are willing to invest in Lavoie. The script gives him layers and the performance is a good one making it possible for the audience to care about a person who has spilled so much blood.

Dusk for a Hitman is available On Demand and digital April 19