Allan Ungar and Josh Duhamel strike again with ‘London Calling’

Synopsis: After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, a down-on-his-luck hitman is forced to babysit the son of his new crime boss and show him how to become a man.
Director: Allan Ungar
Stars: Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aiden Gillen

Watching London Calling, it is evident that director Allan Ungar is not only a good filmmaker but a film sponge — absorbing what he has seen in great films and creating a movie with subtle nods to cinema’s past.

Ungar reunites with Josh Duhamel, who starred in his last film, Bandits. Duhamel plays Tommy Ward, a father and a rather complicated individual, and, as it happens, a hitman, albeit an ageing hitman whose vision isn’t what it used to be.

If only he’d picked up a decent pair of glasses, he might not have killed the wrong target. Unfortunately, the person he killed is related to a crime boss in the UK.

Tommy flees to the United States, leaving his son behind with his ex-wife, who is about to marry someone else.

Relocating to Los Angeles is an adjustment for Tommy. He finds work with a sleazy, selfish crime-boss, Benson, played by Rick Hoffman, whom many will remember as Louis Litt in Suits. Hoffman is great in this role.

Benson sees his son Julian (Jeremy Ray Taylor) as a failure. Julian is awkward—he says the wrong things in front of girls and is bullied in front of his friends. The teen is having a tough time, and the lack of support from his demanding father isn’t helping.

Benson wants to ‘make a man’ out of his Julian and tells Tommy to take him on his next hit. Is there a better way to toughen up than to watch a hitman kill people? In return, Tommy offers to help Tommy move back to the UK.

This action-comedy blends the story of an ageing hitman with that of an awkward coming-of-age teenager extremely well.

Allan Ungar has crafted an entertaining film that is part buddy movie and a nod to movies like Role Models. Ungar pays homage to previous films while also carving out his own niche.

The strong cast includes Aiden Gillen, who plays Freddy Darby, seeking revenge for the family member Tommy accidentally killed; Arnold Vosloo, the former 24 villain, who helps Tommy flee to the United States; and Neil Sandilands, who brings a level of fun to his role and is reminiscent of Sharlto Copley in Hardcore Henry. He’s such a fun supporting character that just chews up scenery.

The bulk of this film lies on the shoulders of Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor. A duo we didn’t know we needed, but are thrilled to have. Duhamel brings an exquisite charm to this role. You can’t help but root for him as he struggles to build a relationship with his own son, while providing a much-needed support system for Julian.

Jeremy Ray Taylor embodies teen angst and is a remix of many characters, like Jim from American Pie, and so many underdogs. Ray Taylor plays the character so well and is also extremely entertaining with many scene-stealing moments.

The film isn’t without its faults, and at times, some scenes may be over the top, but they don’t undo the overall production. As theatre attendance ebbs and flows, London Calling makes for a great night-in movie.

Ungar and Duhamel are a strong dynamic duo that have once again collaborated on a feature that will entertain audiences.

Grade: B-

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