WARNING: The following contains spoilers for The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, now in theaters.
One of the strangest elements of The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard comes late in the film, and it's completely centered around the plot of an entirely different movie. For much of the movie, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard focuses on the exploits of Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), who's dragged along for a cross-country trip of Italy by Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) and Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek).
Trying to help government officials prevent the villainous Aristotle Papadopoulos (Antonio Banderas) from claiming the technology he needs to bring about the end of the European economy, the trio are captured and trapped in his lair. It's then revealed Sonia has a secret history with the villain and a plan to deal with him -- which cribs from the plotline of the 1987 film Overboard.
Overboard, directed by Garry Marshall, is a romantic comedy starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. The film centers on Joanna (Hawn), a wealthy heiress who has little respect for those she considers beneath her. This includes the handyman Dean (Russell), who she berates and throws off her yacht. When she falls off herself and is left with amnesia, Dean gets revenge by tricking her into believing she's his wife. He also has her help with his day-to-day work. The two develop feelings for one another, and ultimately Joanna -- even after having her memories restored -- decides to return to Dean.
Despite the charming stars, Overboard's incredibly problematic plot and hackneyed comedy sink the film. However, it's become something of a cult classic with some audiences, including the cast of characters from The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. When the characters realize they're up against Papadopoulos, it's revealed Sonia had previously been in a relationship with him. Initially, their romance seemed perfect; however, while aboard his yacht, she fell off and was seemingly lost. Reunited, Sonia tries to convince Papadopoulos that she has amnesia, thus keeping her away from him and forcing her to return to her con ways.
At first, everyone seems to accept this explanation at face value, but Bryce realizes it's the plotline to Overboard. Later, Sonia admits this is true to Kincaid while calling him over the phone. In reality, Papadopoulos had been another mark, and the explanation of amnesia was a desperate attempt to keep herself in his good graces. Unfortunately for her, Papadopoulos and his forces promptly capture her, with the criminal explaining that he's also seen Overboard and therefore saw through her act.
It's a bizarre plot beat for The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard to employ, especially considering the age of the original Overboard and its more recent, underwhelming remake. If anything, it's a notable reminder of how sleazy Papadopoulos is, since he sees a film about manipulating an injured woman as an "underrated classic."
Directed by Patrick Hughes, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard stars Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo, Caroline Goodall, Rebecca Front, Gabriella Wright, Alice McMillan, Kristofer Kamiyasu, Tom Hopper, Blake Ritson and Richard E. Grant. The film is now in theaters.
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