Killing Cupid (2004)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

Michael Worth

Writer:

Michael Worth (screenplay)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

A love story....With a vengeance!

Plot:

This "Best Fiction Film Winner"* follows Valentine, a female assassin who is trapped in a room with...

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Jenya Lano	...	Valentine
Christa Sauls	...	Starfish
Lorenzo Lamas	...	Shane
Dan Southworth	...	Pimp
Karen Kim	...	Diamond
Michael Worth	...	Marion
Jeff Fahey	...	The Trainer
David Jean Thomas	...	Owen
Rance Howard	...	Zeke
Mark Mortimer	...	Toad
Soon Hee Newbold	...	Venom
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jerry Asher	...	Harley Guy
Ricardo Ayala	...	Cowboy
Kayla Lano	...	Young Chenoa
Robert Lennon	...	Card Player #1
Mike Mastelotto	...	Thug #2
Laurance Messier	...	Phone Hit Man
Patrick Logan Pace	...	Card Player #2
Edward Pope	...	Arthur Hope
Candace Raquel	...	Candy
Dustin Rikert	...	Peter C.
Kyle Rikert	...	Thompson Twin 2
Wade Rikert	...	Thompson Twin 1
Charlie West	...	Thug #1

Also Known As:

Warrior or Assassin (USA)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Company:

Grizzly Peak Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Pimp fights Cupid in the end. Halfway through the fight, Pimp draws a knife that was in his pants at his back. In the first half they used martial arts. While fighting bare handed, that knife was nowhere to be seen.

Wes Anderson Meets Tarantino?

I caught this last year at a film festival screening. Though the film has it's own unique style, you can't help but notice the subtle (or not so subtle) nods by first time director Michael Worth to Tarantino, Scorsese, etc. (particularly in an opening shot from a car trunk). A dark comedy about a female assassin (played by Jenya Lano) in search of herself. I give the film a 7 out of 10 based on the kind of movie it is and not comparing it to the larger studio films (which are many times much worse than this). It is not for everyone's taste, aimed at a more "cult" audience then mainstream. The very low budget (not to be confused with "B movie") feel is also sometimes it's charm. It definitely wants you to think on life and death and does not try to give you a "popcorn" ride. Made for a specific audience the film reminds one of either the slow static pace of Wes Anderson or the more rugged low budget entries of Linklater or Jarmuch in style. At least, the attempt is there anyway. Held back by a limited budget, the film still stands out but can be uneven at times.

The casting of B movie/TV actor Lorenzo Lamas as an arrogant hit-man was the most natural I have seen him. The other characters with names like "Starfish" and "Pimp" are a great strange bunch of characters bordering on insane comedy one second and sudden melancholy the next. Worth appears half way through the film in a sort of hero/anti-hero role. I think he is making fun of images he has portrayed in the past (he talks about bad B movie lighting). There is a sort of improv feel here when watching the performances (check out the charismatic granddaughter of the hotel owner...great stuff!). A raw director for sure, but sparks of....can I say excellence?...at times. Some unique shots, funny dialoge and wacky characters. The film was greeted well at the festival.

The film had an alternate title of "Killing Cupid" which is a much more original and appropriate title than the bland "Warrior Or Assassin". Reminds one of "Kill Bill" a bit in story but appears to have been made before those films even came out. Not a film for everyone by any means, but it is different and at times very funny. So, if you go in knowing you are seeing a low budget comedy/action film (some martial arts fights), stripped of expectations and stereo types (unless intended) you will really get a "kick" out of it.