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Editorial Reviews
An Oregon mother (Marcia Gay Harden) whose son was killed after going on a high school shooting spree, an inner-city Chicago principal (Forest Whitaker) who deals with violence on a daily basis, and a Charlottesville gun shop owner (Donald Sutherland) are among the disparate group of people whose lives are all deeply affected by America's ever-growing obsession with firearms. Tony Goldwyn, Linda Cardellini, Schuyler Fisk also star in this powerful and timely drama. 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When the Paul Haggis film "Crash" won an Academy Award for Best Picture for 2006, I wasn't surprised but I was a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I liked "Crash" well enough--but it was a message movie of the most obvious type. Even stellar performances could not hide its manipulative nature and the contrivance that helped move the plot forward. The "racism is bad yet prevalent in society" theme bludgeoned the viewer with an important lesson--one that might have benefited from a little more subtlety in the storytelling. But why talk about "Crash?" As the indie film "American Gun" began, I immediately sensed the similarities. A disparate, seemingly unrelated group of characters was introduced and I was sure I was in for colliding stories with an important lesson about gun control and violence.
Well, there's good news and bad news. First the good: "American Gun" features a tremendous cast doing great work, and the film is not a preachy diatribe that tells you how you should feel ("Crash" anyone?). However, the bad news is that some of the storylines seem a bit underdeveloped. The end result is that this is a solid piece of filmmaking that falls short of being great. It's definitely worth a look, for a variety of reasons, but it didn't end up packing the emotional punch that I had hoped it would. While some viewers may be left unsatisfied with the general lack of resolution, it was several underwritten subplots that were more problematic for me.
The principle story involves Marcia Gay Harden as the mother of a boy who has gone on a Columbine-like shooting spree at his school. Three years after the event, she and her other son (Chris Marquette) are still trying to deal with the aftermath. Harden is a tremendous presence and a great actress, and if there was only one reason to recommend this film--it would be her. Fierce, defensive, shouldering the blame and fighting to hold it together--this is such a great performance! Marquette matches her nicely and this plotline is moving and riveting. In addition, Tony Goldwyn gives a sensitive performance as a cop in the same town who is also haunted by the school shooting. In an unrelated story, Forest Whitaker gives a typically fine performance as a principle trying to make a difference. Linda Cardellini and Donald Sutherland show up in another story arc--bonding as grandfather and granddaughter.
The Cardellini/Sutherland story left much to be desired--nicely performed but not particularly enlightening. The Whitaker plot is better, if more conventional, and features strong work by Chris Warren Jr. as a promising student trying to make good. And that leaves Harden and Marquette in a story of great power and unrelenting despair. If this was the whole film, I'd give it five stars. But the unevenness brings the score down to about 3 1/2 (I'm rounding up for Harden). I admired much of "American Gun," but I just didn't love it. KGHarris, 11/07.
Well, there's good news and bad news. First the good: "American Gun" features a tremendous cast doing great work, and the film is not a preachy diatribe that tells you how you should feel ("Crash" anyone?). However, the bad news is that some of the storylines seem a bit underdeveloped. The end result is that this is a solid piece of filmmaking that falls short of being great. It's definitely worth a look, for a variety of reasons, but it didn't end up packing the emotional punch that I had hoped it would. While some viewers may be left unsatisfied with the general lack of resolution, it was several underwritten subplots that were more problematic for me.
The principle story involves Marcia Gay Harden as the mother of a boy who has gone on a Columbine-like shooting spree at his school. Three years after the event, she and her other son (Chris Marquette) are still trying to deal with the aftermath. Harden is a tremendous presence and a great actress, and if there was only one reason to recommend this film--it would be her. Fierce, defensive, shouldering the blame and fighting to hold it together--this is such a great performance! Marquette matches her nicely and this plotline is moving and riveting. In addition, Tony Goldwyn gives a sensitive performance as a cop in the same town who is also haunted by the school shooting. In an unrelated story, Forest Whitaker gives a typically fine performance as a principle trying to make a difference. Linda Cardellini and Donald Sutherland show up in another story arc--bonding as grandfather and granddaughter.
The Cardellini/Sutherland story left much to be desired--nicely performed but not particularly enlightening. The Whitaker plot is better, if more conventional, and features strong work by Chris Warren Jr. as a promising student trying to make good. And that leaves Harden and Marquette in a story of great power and unrelenting despair. If this was the whole film, I'd give it five stars. But the unevenness brings the score down to about 3 1/2 (I'm rounding up for Harden). I admired much of "American Gun," but I just didn't love it. KGHarris, 11/07.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"American Gun", is an attempt to do what so many filmmakers wish: to speak out on an issue, changing minds or informing, shedding light on dark areas. It is a shame that "American Gun" is not more successful, as it generally comes across as directionless, failing to convey its tagline message that firing a gun shatters more than silence.
In the style of movies like "Crash", or "Magnolia", "American Gun" follows several separate story threads that intertwine- though, it must be said, to a lesser extent than those films. Marcia Gay Haden plays the mother of a boy who took part in a Columbine-style assault on his school who now has to deal not only with the hostility of parents around her but also her other son, now marked by the shadow of his brother's actions. Forest Whitaker's character is the principal of an inner-city school who has become so consumed by protecting his school and his students that his relationship with his wife (Garcelle Beauvais) and son is suffering. The daily struggle to keep his campus safe hasn't prevented one of his better students, who lives in a dangerous neighborhood, from acquiring a gun to protect himself- especially during the night job he has taken on to support his family. Linda Cardellini is a college student working in a gun shop owned by her grandfather (Donald Sutherland) who is struggling to find her place in life, and Tony Goldwyn is a police officer forced to confront his feelings as one of the officers criticized for not doing more to prevent the school shooting tragedy.
The major problem with the movie is that a synopsis fills you in on almost everything you need you know about the content of the film. There are few compelling scenes, whether we focus on action or emotion, and the characters are so one-dimensional that their names barely matter- within the confines of the film, they matter only insofar as their thoughts about firearms exist. To a certain degree, this is the point- Avelino clearly wishes to portray a series of stories that speak for themselves. However, the film ultimately feels impersonal, as if too much has been contrived in order to make a point. By and large, the actors perform adequately, and Whitaker's performance is excellent- although this might be the result of receiving a role with far more substance to it than many of the other capable actors in the film. His character comes off as noble, but human- someone with the best of intentions who is inevitably worn down by the magnitude of the task in front of him. Nobody could walk away from the task of keeping children safe, and yet it is too much of a burden for him to shoulder.
By and large, the other characters are not that persuasive. Their stories, or settings, are interesting enough, but barring one or two moments of genuine pathos, very little happens that is worth the setup. "American Gun" is not a bad film. It simply isn't very good. The slow pace and lack of direction lessen the impact of its serious themes, and the detached feeling lessens emotional connection and sympathy towards the main characters. It's a film one can watch, but not, perhaps, a film worth watching.
In the style of movies like "Crash", or "Magnolia", "American Gun" follows several separate story threads that intertwine- though, it must be said, to a lesser extent than those films. Marcia Gay Haden plays the mother of a boy who took part in a Columbine-style assault on his school who now has to deal not only with the hostility of parents around her but also her other son, now marked by the shadow of his brother's actions. Forest Whitaker's character is the principal of an inner-city school who has become so consumed by protecting his school and his students that his relationship with his wife (Garcelle Beauvais) and son is suffering. The daily struggle to keep his campus safe hasn't prevented one of his better students, who lives in a dangerous neighborhood, from acquiring a gun to protect himself- especially during the night job he has taken on to support his family. Linda Cardellini is a college student working in a gun shop owned by her grandfather (Donald Sutherland) who is struggling to find her place in life, and Tony Goldwyn is a police officer forced to confront his feelings as one of the officers criticized for not doing more to prevent the school shooting tragedy.
The major problem with the movie is that a synopsis fills you in on almost everything you need you know about the content of the film. There are few compelling scenes, whether we focus on action or emotion, and the characters are so one-dimensional that their names barely matter- within the confines of the film, they matter only insofar as their thoughts about firearms exist. To a certain degree, this is the point- Avelino clearly wishes to portray a series of stories that speak for themselves. However, the film ultimately feels impersonal, as if too much has been contrived in order to make a point. By and large, the actors perform adequately, and Whitaker's performance is excellent- although this might be the result of receiving a role with far more substance to it than many of the other capable actors in the film. His character comes off as noble, but human- someone with the best of intentions who is inevitably worn down by the magnitude of the task in front of him. Nobody could walk away from the task of keeping children safe, and yet it is too much of a burden for him to shoulder.
By and large, the other characters are not that persuasive. Their stories, or settings, are interesting enough, but barring one or two moments of genuine pathos, very little happens that is worth the setup. "American Gun" is not a bad film. It simply isn't very good. The slow pace and lack of direction lessen the impact of its serious themes, and the detached feeling lessens emotional connection and sympathy towards the main characters. It's a film one can watch, but not, perhaps, a film worth watching.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Brandi C.
Format:DVD
I got the chance to view this film on IFC onDemand, and may I say I happy I saw it. It was even better than I expected, although it ended too soon.
"American Gun" stars an ensemble cast of Marcia Gay Harden, Forest Whitaker, Donald Sutherland, Nikki Reed, Linda Cardellini, Chris Marquette, Amanda Seyfried, and Garcelle Beauvais, just to name a few.
Harden is a single mother struggling with the aftermath of her older son's school shooting (in which he was a culprit) and his suicide. She is almost forced out of the neighborhood because of the crime that she is blamed for.
Whitaker is a caring principal in an inner city high school, who's morals are tested when his students begin bringing guns to school to protect themselves. You get the impression he cares more for his students than his wife (Beauvais, more beautiful and talented than ever) and his young son, whom he gives a girl's backpack to instead of buying a new one.
Sutherland is a gun shop owner who employs his college age granddaughter (Cardellini). At first, she is reluctant, but thinks again when her friend is almost raped.
"American Gun" is a character study of an action that is too close to any of us to take lightly. It does not exploit, but informs. Informs us that one move can change your life and others with it.
"American Gun" reminds that this is what filmmaking is about, even though it should have gotten a wider release.
For a good Indie film, I recommend not to rent it, but buy it.
Five stars
"American Gun" stars an ensemble cast of Marcia Gay Harden, Forest Whitaker, Donald Sutherland, Nikki Reed, Linda Cardellini, Chris Marquette, Amanda Seyfried, and Garcelle Beauvais, just to name a few.
Harden is a single mother struggling with the aftermath of her older son's school shooting (in which he was a culprit) and his suicide. She is almost forced out of the neighborhood because of the crime that she is blamed for.
Whitaker is a caring principal in an inner city high school, who's morals are tested when his students begin bringing guns to school to protect themselves. You get the impression he cares more for his students than his wife (Beauvais, more beautiful and talented than ever) and his young son, whom he gives a girl's backpack to instead of buying a new one.
Sutherland is a gun shop owner who employs his college age granddaughter (Cardellini). At first, she is reluctant, but thinks again when her friend is almost raped.
"American Gun" is a character study of an action that is too close to any of us to take lightly. It does not exploit, but informs. Informs us that one move can change your life and others with it.
"American Gun" reminds that this is what filmmaking is about, even though it should have gotten a wider release.
For a good Indie film, I recommend not to rent it, but buy it.
Five stars
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
A waste of time
Another attempt by liberal "hollywoodites" (yea Participant Productions IFC produced it) to make a movie about something they know nothing about! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Eigerman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Should have been titled "Stupidity and Violence"
The oddest thing about this film is probably its name. The stupidity and violence depicted in it were so typical and so general in nature that it seems apparent the title and the... Read more
Published on March 17, 2007 by What's the frequency, Kenneth?
4.0 out of 5 stars
American Gun (2005)
Director: Aric Avelino
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Marcia Gay Hayden, Linda Cardellini, Chris Marquette, Nikki Reed, Arlen Escarpeta, Garcelle Beauvais,... Read more
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Marcia Gay Hayden, Linda Cardellini, Chris Marquette, Nikki Reed, Arlen Escarpeta, Garcelle Beauvais,... Read more
Published on September 7, 2006 by The Tweeder
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Emotive Power
IFC has burst onto the movie scene with a series of gritty, realistic films such as "Sorry, Haters" and "CSA: The Confederate States of America. Read more
Published on September 3, 2006 by Aaron Gutsell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Miss American Gun
5 star film all the way through. A must see gem you should not miss. Fantastic!
-E.
-E.
Published on September 1, 2006 by Eric Thor Wensman
4.0 out of 5 stars
When will the gun violence stop?
The stunning performance by Marcia Gay Harden playing a mother whose life has unraveled after her son shot up a school, is the real reason to see American Gun, a beautifully sober... Read more
Published on August 27, 2006
5.0 out of 5 stars
A deeply affecting film
AMERICAN GUN is hardly the CRASH-Lite it's been deemed by writers who've only read the synopsis. Three scenarios play out independently of one another, even-handedly, in an... Read more
Published on April 14, 2006 by griffinmill
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