User Reviews

Dekker (Forest Whitaker) is a troubled hitman. He tries therapy. He's having eyesight problems. He gets a new job which he hopes to be his last. He gets a suspicious change including a hit on a baby. He is about to kill Jain (Sherilyn Fenn) when he's interrupted by her friend Kiki (Sharon Stone).

I like the meandering setup to the hit. I like spending time with Dekker. I even like going to the eye doctor. Once he gets into the apartment, he needs a good reason for delaying. He has to give a reason. It becomes stretched out. He could get that reason by talking to Jain. I don't really understand Dekker's thinking. Quite frankly, it starts with changing the hit. He smells something fishy right away but he should do something about it. I just want Dekker to be written smarter.

I have trouble believing this movie has so many good user reviews here, because for me it was rather poor. I understand that it's from a play, "Insider's Price", and its origins show. I usually like Forest Whitaker, the hit-man, but I think he was badly directed here. He overacts, a lot, and his narration was atrocious as in exaggerated and almost ludicrous. It wasn't even a real diary, it was a phone conversation and as such it worked even less. I get our hit-man isn't the sharpest tool in the block but the writing seemed weak with some lousy lines. The target, Sherilyn Fenn's, although looking fine, was arguably worse acting-wise, because her reactions often weren't believable or seemed emotionally fake. You see James Belushi and Sharon Stone in the credits, but they only have 5-minute cameos. Belushi's part could have easily been cut. Sharon Stone's was a bit more interesting but any actress could have done it.

The main part of the film was a confrontation between the hit-man and the target in her apartment. From the way it was shot, the confined space and the acting, it really felt theatrical there but not in a good way. I suppose some scenes would have elicited laughter in front of a audience (such as the pulling back and forth of the curtains or the cake scene), but here, they seemed out of place. I was more often puzzled by reactions than gripped by tension as to her fate and that of the baby. Also, very little action here, it was all very talkative. This film seemed very forgettable fare to me.

Rating: 3 out of 10 (poor)

120 minutes of scenes that would be cut if they had a plot.

Basically, there is a shadowy hit-man who likes to talk to everybody. He tells his story everywhere he goes.

Talk, talk, talk.

He even talks to the cops. What a nice talkative hit-man. Oh, boy.

Luckily, even though half the city knows he is a hit-man, he can still pull off these hits without anybody catching on. Even when the cops catch him in the middle of a hit and know that he is a hit-man, nobody catches on. What a sneaky guy.

I assume that the reason why they turned the original turkey of a play into this turkey of a movie was so the characters could be heard over the endless chants of "What kind of crap is this?" Love Whitaker. Hate everything about this movie.

Dorest Whitaker stars as a hitman hired by a commodities trader who asks him to murder his wife who he says is a drug addict who gave birth to an addicted baby who isnt his... Whitaker, doing one final job, goes but has his doubts of the authenticity of the husband and breaking his professional vow to himself, begins talking with the woman (Sherilyn Fenn in one of her best roles) A highly dramatic film that runs like a theater drama. Very Well done and underappreciated On a scale of one to ten.. 7

Forrest Whitaker turns in a measured performance of a hitman as does Sherilyn Fenn as the potential victim. That's the bottom line with 'Diary of a Hitman'. A low budget, but effectively acted film that features quick appearances from established names Jim Belushi (as a cop) and Sharon Stone (as Fenn's characters sister).

Dekker (Whitaker) is a pro who often tells his victims "it's just business" before the final deed. Lately however those are the words he's barely able to hold onto as he sours on his line of work - the mental effects taking their toll. Looking to get out, he takes on 'the last job' from his employer Koenig (Seymour Cassel). It's an ugly number of taking out a man's wife Jain (Fenn) and child (who he says isn't his).

I gave 'Diary' a go exclusively because of Whitaker and ultimately it's the film's strongest asset. Fenn is effective, but also irritates you with her character's mannerisms and ploys to stay alive. Belushi & Stone are fun to see pop up, but don't really contribute much else. Being boxed up in one location for an extended period of the film provides tense atmosphere, but isn't visually pleasing.

Some sparse narration and visible mental deterioration from the hitman come across as convincing, but the last act is both hollow, more than a little trite. Leaving this film decidedly average, underwhelming in many regards, but still worthy of a view for Whitaker's performance. If you don't find yourself a fan you can keep moving and not have missed much.

"Diary of a Hit-man" is something more than the average entry into the neo-noir genre of many such films produced in the 80s/90s. They usually hold a similar trashy appeal, more style than substance, and not too much in the way of quality performances. Forest Whitaker helps to make this an exception from the mold. Here, playing a variant of his later role in "Ghost Dog", he lets you into the mind of a conflicted, controlling, somewhat neurotic hit-man.

This film was adapted from a play by Kenneth Pressman, and the middle act pays testament to that. A series of scenes in a small apartment capture a real depth of emotion, both from Whitaker and his target (played by Sherilyn Fenn). It seems almost claustrophobic, but there's a power to it. Roy London doesn't show a lot of experience in his direction, but he does express a good deal of humanity. This is a grounded film, personal. There's no cheap exploitation feel, nor is there any sense of big budget Hollywood.

The acting is the real reason to watch "Diary of a Hit-man". Even the small roles have something to offer. I particularly liked the two doctors, one a psychiatrist (John Bedford Lloyd), the other an optometrist (Ken Lerner). James Belushi and Sharon Stone show up briefly, but aren't given a whole lot to do. This isn't an overly complicated or particularly far-reaching film, but the narration lets you under its skin, and there's no terrible overacting or delusions of grandeur. The title might seem cheap, but "Diary of a Hit-man" has a lot more to offer.

This is an excellent movie, Whittaker is so underrated. They rave about the same actors, being so gifted. Whittaker is so powerful, soft spoken, not with mumbling so many actors do. I enjoyed this movie very much. It was very human and touching.

Fenn was so good, in a role that could have been wasted on other beautiful actresses.

When I was a High School student, I learned that nothing can modify its status of repose or movement without a cause. Recalling that I tried understand why a killer suddenly repent of "all his sins" and become a "good guy"... Allegedly, the manichaeism approach of this film is the only reason that a man looking to a mother holding her baby (an allusion of the medieval portrait of the Holy Virgin?) make up his mind so quickly... I made this short beginning in order to justify a consideration about the plot: Well, the plot is very singular and leads us to several ways until the surprising dead end. The actors are well conducted by the hands of the director apprehending our attention until the final.

Diary of a Hit-man is directed by Roy London and adapted to screenplay by Kenneth Pressman from his own play, Insider's Price. It stars Forest Whitaker, John Bedford-Lloyd, Sherilyn Fenn, Seymour Cassel, James Belushi and Sharon Stone.Music is by Michel Colombier and cinematography by Yuri Sokol.

Hit-man Dekker is contracted to kill the wife and baby of his latest client, but he starts to seriously question the ethics of the job...

"you're your own worst witness"

The ingredients for a high end neo-noir piece are all in place here, with the pic at times threatening potency to strike a telling blow, sadly it rounds out as very unfulfilling. Its stage origins are all too obvious, and the blend of quirky and wry humour with the more dramatic core of the story never sits well. Cast also come off as a little awkward, no doubt straining to deliver the goods for their acting coach director.

On the plus side for noir fans there's stuff to savour. Pic is driven by a Dekker narration, and the character is in contact with interesting characters. Be it a mime artist, his psychiatrist, a kid in a tumble dryer, a busy body tarty sister or the weasel villain who hires him, the human contact is straight out of noir land. The places he goes are also in keeping, the local bar with neon lighting, the church where "business" is conducted, Jain's (Fenn) apartment, which is a bizarre concoction of scatterbrain living and mummy housewifery, or a peekaboo strip joint. Elsewhere there's an extended session of film where Dekker has double vision, this putting a nice off-kilter vibe on things, while the whole time where the pic takes place in the apartment - with just Dekker and Jain in conflab - holds considerable interest. But then there's the finale, which is so far removed from noir it may make some want to set fire to the TV...

Just above average neo-noir, but not one to recommend with any sort of confidence. 6/10

I saw this movie well after it was out, caught it about 10 minutes after is started, and was doing something else at the time the TV was on. After just a few moments, I was spell bound (I love Ms. Fenn) but she was not the one who grabbed my attention. It was this soft spoken hit man truly agonizing with the situation.

When it was on again, (you know Showtime runs the same movie multiple times a month) even though I knew the ending, (I will not spoil it) I watched it again, beginning to end. I was captivated by Forest's portrayal.

I referenced this movie to someone, and they reminded me he was in the Crying Game. I'd not made the connection.

I was told to see Ghost Dog, which I enjoyed even more.

Having just got back from seeing The Last King Of Scotland, and having watched the season he was on The Shield, I have to say Forest has turned into one of the finest actors of our time. I hope he wins his Oscar this year.

After seeing this movie on TV several years ago, I picked this up for cheap on Amazon. Turns out it was a really good movie but it is Forest Whitaker who steals the show as the hit-man out to kill the wife of a client who knows her husband is up to no good. Despite the movie's dark tone, there's a surprising amount of dark humor, especially Sharon Stone, who plays her kooky, drugged out sister and her lines had me laughing out loud in one of the most tense and chill-inducing scenes of the movie. An exceptional thriller with strong performances, a solid storyline, and edge of your seat moments make "Diary of a Hit-man" one little gem of a movie.

Diary of a Hitman (1991) is a movie that I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows a Hitman that is going blind and is about to retire. He has one last job that breaks all his codes and rules which causes him to get sloppy. Will he be able to get back on track or will this assignment be his demise?

This movie is directed by Roy London (Episodes of The Larry Sanders Show) and stars Forest Whitaker (The Butler), Sharon Stone (Casino), Jim Belushi (Res Heat) and Sherilyn Fenn (Wild at Heart).

The cast in this is really good and I enjoyed the characters. The narration was entertaining and Forest Whitaker was a good main character. Sharon Stone was perfectly cast in her bit role too. The storyline and some of the sub plots didn't work for me. I'm not sure I ever felt the Hitman breaking his rules aligned to the character. A lot of the decisions seemed like a stretch. The dialogue is good. There's a church scene that is well executed. The way they portrayed his eye site was really good. The ending also felt unrealistic.

Overall, this was worth a watch but doesn't overly standout within the movies about hitmen (it's not Leon: The Professional). I would consider this an average to slightly above average movie and score this a 5.5/10.

Diary of Hit Man is an insightful movie that goes into the mine of a hit man. This film is very emotional and suspenseful. The acting is great and very real. Forest Whitaker and Sherilyn Fenn gave great performances. This film is also unpredictable, I found it really exciting to watch. The ending is a good one, because it leaves you wondering, what will happen to the characters? Overall, this is a very well done movie!

Forest Whitaker is an incredible actor. He is truly an amazing actor. One of the best actors of this generation.

And in this movie, he really shines. He does a really strong performance. His voice over is really good. He plays a very troubled hit man with an identity crisis and maybe a mid life crisis. He's very troubled by his job. Troubled by his purpose in life. He gets paid well for his hitman job and he's very good at his job.

But he's very tired and very troubled by his routine. We get a lot of monologues of his inner thoughts. And I really loved this part of the movie. Forest Whitaker is talking to himself and to the audience. We get to hear everything he's feeling. We get to hear his inner conflict. We get to connect with him and his inner feelings.

The second part of the movie all deals with him taking a job and having a hard time finishing the job, having an inner conflict in hurting innocents. The second part of the movie is the conflict and turmoil between him and Sherilyn Fenn. They have a very strong and dark confrontation and the dilemma of Forest Whitaker hurting two innocents.

He has a job to do but his conscience won't let him do it. There's a lot of money on the line but he is troubled by his morality.

I really liked this movie and everyone gave good strong performances. Even the smaller roles like the psychologist was very good.

Strong play. The story keeps you watching and thrills you till the end. Hope meets action.

The film is brilliant. Fenn's performance as hit-person target is one of the greatest in film history. It's a best actor quality. Whittaker, as the film proceeds, shows a diversity of emotion and depth of character that is virtuoso. The screenplay is gripping and the movie is clearly one for the ages.