Give 'Em Hell, Malone
Give 'Em Hell, Malone is a 2009 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Thomas Jane, Ving Rhames and Elsa Pataky.[1]
| Give 'Em Hell, Malone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Russell Mulcahy |
| Written by | Mark Hosack |
| Produced by | Erik Anderson Johnny Martin Brian Oliver Richard Rionda Del Castro Richard Salvatore |
| Starring | Thomas Jane Ving Rhames Elsa Pataky |
| Cinematography | Jonathan Hall |
| Edited by | Robert A. Ferretti |
| Music by | David C. Williams |
Production companies | Malone Productions North by Northwest Productions Continental Entertainment Capitol Blue Rider Finance |
| Distributed by | Hannibal Pictures |
Release dates |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $15 million |
Plot
An ex-private eye turned gun for hire named Malone is hired to retrieve a suitcase from a building full of armed mobsters, but a violent shootout ensues and Malone is eventually left as the only survivor. Suspecting a set-up, he retains the only noteworthy item contained in the case - a small painted animal referred to as "the meaning of love" - for himself, prompting several different parties in the employ of a local gangster - Whitmore - to pursue Malone in attempt to discern the meaning of the case's contents.
After a series of violent encounters leaving many dead, Malone eventually confronts Whitmore, who admits he was responsible for hiring Malone and planted the toy - a keepsake belonging to Malone's young son - as a means to trick Malone into exterminating Whitmore's criminal help, allowing Whitmore to become a legitimate businessman without worrying about being tainted by potential loose ends from his criminal past. Malone kills Whitmore and phones his (Malone's) wife and son - previously presumed dead - but does not engage them in conversation.
A title-over at the end reads, "To Be Continued...".
Cast
- Thomas Jane as Malone
- Ving Rhames as "Boulder"
- Elsa Pataky as Evelyn
- French Stewart as Frankie "The Crooner"
- Leland Orser as Murphy
- Chris Yen as "Mauler"
- William Abadie as "Pretty Boy"
- Gregory Harrison as Whitmore
- Doug Hutchison as "Matchstick"
Release
The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray January 26, 2010.[2]
Critical reception
Tyler Foster of DVD Talk gave the film a negative review, calling it "a movie that's groan-worthy when it follows the beaten path and annoying when it tries to subvert it" and unfavorably compared it to Frank Miller's The Spirit.[3] Brian Pisco for Pajiba had similar feelings, stating that the film "sets up asskickery that never comes about."[4].
Sequel
A sequel to the film was announced in 2021, with Jane and Hosack returning as actor and screenwriter respectively.[5][6]
References
- McNary, Dave (September 10, 2008). "Russell Mulcahy to direct 'Malone'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
- "Give'em Hell Malone DVD Cover Art and Specs". beyondhollywood.com. December 24, 2009. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- Foster, Tyler (January 26, 2010). "Give 'Em Hell, Malone". DVD Talk. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- Pisco, Brian (January 28, 2010). "Give 'Em Hell Malone Review". Pajiba. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- Rubin, Rebecca (February 2, 2021). "Thomas Jane Returning for 'Give 'Em Hell, Malone' Sequel". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- Bui, Hoai-Tran (February 5, 2021). "Sequel Bits: 'Extraction,' 'Coming 2 America,' 'Jurassic Park 3,' 'Give 'Em Hell, Malone 2'". /Film. Retrieved April 22, 2023.