The Memory of a Killer (2005)

Aging hitman wants/needs to get out of the business soon -- he's got a brother who is institutionalized with Alzheimer's and recognizes that the disease is taking him over as well.

I liked so much about this film. The way that the hitman is both fearful and resolved to make sure that his purpose is complete before allowing himself to succumb to his illness is believable and the acting is top-notch. I also really liked the policeman in charge of the case(s) at the center of the story here. And although I usually hate swirly camera tricks, they were used judiciously and effectively for the purpose of serving the story.

My one complaint would be that the mystery is so by-the-numbers. Corruption and cover-up in high places. Bad guys getting rid of witnesses. It's all stylishly handled, but it's the same good vs. bad vs. ambiguous stuff I've seen countless times before -- for example, of course the cop will ultimately admire and trust the hitman, despite the fact that everyone else sees him as a suspect. They could have just cast Tommy Lee Jones as the cop as shorthand.

Strong premise, great looking, clichéd case.

B