They said ‘Take her out’. He got the wrong idea.

Emily as: Rose
Genre(s): Comedy | Crime
Written by: Lucinda Coxon
Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
Other Cast: Bill Nighy, Rupert Grint, Rupert Everett, Martin Freeman
Release Date: October 29, 2010
Production Budget: $8m
Total Worldwide Gross: $3.4m
Filming Locations: London, England, UK

The story of Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy), a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who prides himself on his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose (Emily Blunt) who sold a forged Rembrandt to one of his clients (Rupert Everett). He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring a young apprentice in the process, Tony (Rupert Grint). Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

Rose is a beautiful, quick-witted con artist, who is making a killing selling fake paintings. But when she pushes one scam too far, she finds the mob on her tail and a price on her head.

Enter Victor Maynard, Europe’s most efficient and expensive assassin. Keen to uphold his family’s legacy for lethal efficiency, Victor embarks on his latest assignment with his usual solitary professionalism. Yet every time Victor has Rose in his sights something seems to hold him back.

Increasingly entranced by the spirited Rose, Victor spares her life, accidently acquiring a young apprentice in the process. Believing victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to deal with his feelings for Rose and the murderous attentions another hitman sent to finish the job.

Production Info

Based on the the 1993 French film Cible émouvante.

Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) holds guns with just a thumb and middle finger, with his index on the trigger. This unusual grip is because Nighy actually suffers from Dupuytren’s contracture, which means he can’t straighten the ring and little fingers on each hand.

Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt previously appeared together as father and daughter in the BBC film Gideon’s Daughter. They both won Golden Globes for their performances.

Character Quotes

I can’t believe they hired someone to kill me.

What happened here was not random. His boss wants me dead. I only hope it’s quick when it happens, you know?

Oh, God, they can’t kill me for less than a million! I mean, it’s nothing to them, you know? And I didn’t hurt anyone. I mean, why do people have to be so gullible?

I feel safe with you. You’re wise and calm and steady. You’re like a mighty ancient oak.

I have only known you for three hours, and already it would take me three days to list everything that I hate about you.

Why don’t you just settle the bill? All right? Because if I don’t get a minute without you, I will kill myself.

Got a thing about plastic covers, haven’t you? I bet condoms don’t bother you.

I’ve never dug a hole for anyone before!

You really don’t know anything about yourself, do you?

I like having you protecting me. You’re really good at it. Well, you seem to be. I don’t really have anything to compare it with, because no one–no one ever tried before. But with you… I really enjoy it.

I had a cousin like your mother. Mad as a balloon, poor boy. And I adored him. And family’s family, right?

You are absolute shits. The pair of you. I don’t know how you can live with yourselves.

Gerry: Rose, I need you to absolutely swear to me, that nothing bad will happen to the painting.
Rose: Gerry… I swear. You know that by doing this, you’re making me very happy.
Gerry: Yeah.
Rose: And if that’s not enough, then just think of the money.

Victor: Get in the car.
Rose: You killed him!
Victor: I had to. He was going to kill you.
Rose: Oh, okay. Get in the car.

Rose: I need to pee.
Victor: Right. Right.
Rose: I think it’s just nerves. Do you have a tissue? [Victor hands her his handkerchief] Ooh, silk. Nice.

Rose: I’ve given you a down payment. How much for the week?
Victor: A week? I’m too expensive.
Rose: How much?
Victor: 30 thousand.
Rose: All right, 30 thou. I’m gonna get out of here. I want round-the-clock protection.

Victor: You can’t be serious.
Rose: Who’s paying for this?
Victor: You said you had plenty of money.
Rose: Yeah, and I mean to keep it that way.
Victor: I’m sorry, I really can’t sleep in a room with someone else.
Rose: Well, I can’t imagine you get many requests.

Victor: You’re not listening.
Rose: I am. What were you saying?
Victor: I was saying you were pleasant then for seven or eight seconds. You’re eyeing up the barman.
Rose: Yeah. He fancies me. Is that bothering you?
Victor: As a matter of fact.
Rose: Why? Do you fancy me?
Victor: What?
Rose: It’s a simple enough question.
Victor: Of course not. Not at all.
Rose: Okay, that’s what I thought. Do you fancy him? Is that it?

Rose: You just stay away from me. You ruined my evening.
Victor: Really.
Rose: I was making friends.
Victor: You were making a spectacle of yourself.
Rose: Do you have any friends, I wonder? No, I can’t imagine that you do.

Tony: Quick! Run!
Rose: What? Shit. Shit! Didn’t even get a bathrobe.

Victor: Drive faster!
Rose: I’m doing my best. I’m still trying to get the hang of the car.
Victor: It’s a new car?
Rose: Well, new to me. Found it at a petrol station yesterday, keys and everything. Talk about luck.

Rose: Can we stop?
Victor: No.
Rose: I need to pee.
Victor: We’re not stopping.
Rose: I pay you 30,000 a week. You do as I say. The next service station.
Victor: I’m paid to protect you. Mostly, it seems, from yourself.
Tony: 30,000 pounds?
Rose: Yeah, exactly! I should be able to pee sitting down at that price.

Victor: You had no right! That’s my garden!
Rose: As if you cared about your garden! A garden is a place of beauty where your senses run riot! What good is that to you? You shrink-wrap your own furniture! You’re only happy hiding away inside this gloomy awful house. God, it’s horrible. It’s like everywhere you go, there’s that smell.
Victor: What smell?
Rose: Cleanliness. Bleach. It’s like being in hospital. It’s so safe, it’s dangerous. I can’t breathe here. I mean it. I’m frightened. I’m frightened if I stay here much longer, I’ll end up like you. Afraid of everything.
Victor: I’m not afraid.
Rose: Afraid of admitting who I am. What I want.

Rose: It’s funny, because yesterday, I couldn’t wait to get away, and now I never want to leave.
Tony: What happened in between?
Rose: Just enough. No, we’ll just stay here together, just the three of us. One big happy family.

Victor: That gun’s dangerous.
Rose: You don’t say.

Victor: Did they torture you?
Rose: No, I gave them your address right away.

Critical Response

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: Nighy plays dry and (not really) sinister with ease and aplomb, while Blunt is seductive and impertinent and appears to be enjoying herself immensely.

Michelle Orange, Movieline: Blunt is charming as a petulant hustler with a gift for grab; her ripe cheeks and lips and insolent gaze are the main attractions here, as they are elsewhere.

A.O. Scott, New York Times: Maynard’s foil, bête noire and love interest is played by Emily Blunt, who steals scenes as blithely as her character in this movie steals other people’s stuff.

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: In one of the film’s best scenes, and the linchpin for all that follows, he’s completely charmed by Rose’s remarkable sleight of hand. Blunt is irresistible as she saunters unsuspectingly through a crowded flea market, lifting whatever catches her fancy, slipping in and out of sight each time Victor’s silencer is set to do its job.