The Big Hit (1998)

To payoff his second girlfriend's debt, hitman Melvin Smiley undertakes a kidnapping job with his usual associates. In a world of prospective Jewish in-laws and late movie fees, the hitman ... See full summary »

Director:

Kirk Wong

Writer:

Ben Ramsey

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christina Applegate

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	Melvin Smiley
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Cisco
Christina Applegate	...	Pam Shulman
Avery Brooks	...	Paris
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Crunch
Antonio Sabato Jr.	...	Vince
China Chow	...	Keiko Nishi
Lainie Kazan	...	Jeanne Shulman
Elliott Gould	...	Morton Shulman
Sab Shimono	...	Jiro Nishi
Robin Dunne	...	Gump
Lela Rochon	...	Chantel
Danny Smith	...	Video Store Kid
Joshua Peace	...	Lance
David Usher	...	Sergio

Storyline

To payoff his second girlfriend's debt, hitman Melvin Smiley undertakes a kidnapping job with his usual associates. In a world of prospective Jewish in-laws and late movie fees, the hitman falls in love with the victim and must settle the score with those out to double-cross him.

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Plot Keywords:

Hitman | Kidnapping | Video Store | Kosher | Jewish | 

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Taglines:

a hit...with a twist

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, pervasive language and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Coming Soon Page w/trailer Sony Pictures Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

El gran golpe

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£31,433 (UK) (25 June 1999)

Gross:

£31,433 (UK) (25 June 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Amen Ra Films, Zide-Perry Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keiko was originally supposed to be a high school student, intentionally as an homage to Asian schoolgirls in anime cartoons. However, certain powers that be found it to be too risky and she is now a college student in the film.

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Goofs

Prior to Mark Wahlberg's character fleeing his house after the shootout, China Chow's character is placed in the trunk of the car. She is gagged and her hands are shown cuffed behind her back. During the car chase, she escapes the trunk by entering the passenger compartment via the back seat and crawls forward. While crawling, her hands are clearly visible in front of her and lacking handcuffs, although she retains the gag.

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Quotes

Cisco: Well ain't that a bitch... All I wanted to do was to sail my boat, man, you know? Navigate by the stars, see dolphins race alongside, you know, maybe even kill a few of them.

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Connections

References Epitaph (1987)
Video case is shown in a video store.

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Soundtracks

"Trumpet Concerto"
(uncredited)
Written by Joseph Haydn
Performed by orchestra

User Reviews

A HIT!

When a group of hitmen kidnap the goddchild of their boss all hell breaks loose.

This is plot for this awesome comedy/action thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, Christina Applegate and Antonia Sabato, Jnr.

This is a high-octane comedic look at hitmen - and what would happen if you double-crossed your boss. Turn up the sound on this one, sit back, and be amazed.

It's movies like this that show how good an actor Mark Wahlberg really is. 8.5/10