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The Way of the Gun

A movie

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Why Hasn't This Been Publicized More???

Sep 16, 2000

by Candice923
posted in Movie Hype

Rating:

Pros: Cast made out of eye candy; great plot; James Caan kicks booty!; Wonderful scenery

Cons: Really foul language and lots of violence

Since I am Features Editor of The Northern Light (UAA's newspaper), I constantly look for current movies to review, as well as music, plays, restaurants, and websites. A friend of mine and I decided to go to a movie tonight, so I jumped on Epinions this morning to find out what is going to be released next week or was just released this week.

I have unfortunately found that Anchorage (all of Alaska, for that matter) doesn't get too many movies right away. I'm too used to living in a metropolitan area (Long Island, New York), where I can take advantage of new movies immediately. Sei (my friend) and I could choose from Bait or The Way of the Gun. Since light movies have been reviewed in the past two issues, I thought the latter of the two choices would make for a nice difference in the next issue.

Boy, was I right.

When I found out that Ryan Phillippe, Benicio del Toro, James Caan, Taye Diggs, and Juliette Lewis were all in this movie, I was amazed at the lack of publicity. I didn't even see a trailer for it, and there weren't any "Coming Soon" posters up about it at the movie theatre. What a shame! Due to lack of publicity, I don't think this movie is going to get the attendance it deserves.

The movie starts out with Parker (Phillippe) and Longbaugh (del Toro) as two punks hanging out together outside a nightclub. They get into a bit of a fight (to say the least) and, the next thing you know, they're "straying off the path" they think they're supposed to take in life.

This new path leads them directly to a young woman named Robin (Lewis), who is the surrogate mother for a very wealthy couple. They kidnap her right under the noses of her bodyguards, Jeffers (Diggs) and Obecks (Nicky Katt). The future father, Mr. Chidduck (his name wasn't listed in the credits, and I don't know who he is), decides to take matters into his own hands rather than go to the police. Obecks and Jeffers along with Chidduck's longtime friend and cohort, Joe Sarno (Caan), are instructed to get the baby and the girl, kill the two kidnappers, and make sure the $15 million ransom isn't lost.

Let me warn you that there is a great deal of violence and foul language in this film. I mean, they say the "C" word twice. I believe they were trying to beat Scarface with the amount of "F" words they used in the first scene. It wasn't too appropriate, but, thankfully, the language simmered down in time. If you're easily turned off by foul language or violence (even a little gore at times), this may not be the best choice for you.

The loyalties of the audience are strewn all over this film. You constantly feel sorry for Robin, but root for Parker and Longbaugh. Then, you find yourself cheering for Jeffers until something happens. And, you will always empathize with Sarno. During the final shoot-out, you just don't know who to cheer for. The character development is wonderful.

I'm not a big Juliette Lewis fan, even though she shares the same first name as my mother. I find her very whiny. She's the reason I never saw Natural Born Killers. However, she was TERRIFIC as Robin in this movie! I couldn't get over it. For some reason, Lewis always does a great job playing a pregnant woman. (Have you ever seen Mixed Nuts?)

I like Phillippe very much. However, even though he's incredibly handsome, I didn't like the way he portrayed Parker in this film. For some reason, he uses a very thick New York accent that makes you think he's trying to be an italian mafioso man or something. That irked me, as I was under the impression that they were from Illinois due to the shot of the license plate of their car. Del Toro and Diggs were both good, but nothing to write home about. And, do I really have to say how good looking they are?

The scenery was fabulous. The entire movie, with the exception of the first 10 minutes, takes place in the southwest United States and Mexico. From the beautiful view from the Chidduck's house to the slimy hotel Robin is taken to, the set dressing is wonderful. The great cinematography really needs to be mentioned.

Speaking of which, pay close attention to the opening scene and closing scene of the movie. The whole idea (which I don't even want to come close to giving away) hit me and Sei like a ton of bricks during our ride to dinner after the movie. Let me tell you, I still feel like an idiot for not realizing it right away. I just wonder what other simple nuances I missed. Oh, well. I guess I just have to see it again.

Recommended:
Yes

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More The Way of the Gun reviews

Quick Tip by cyclone_march. October 21, 2010

posted in Movie Hype

A Quick Tip by cyclone_march

It's a pretty good movie over all but the first 10 minutes are hysterical. I do not like Sarah Silverman at all but her rant at the beginning of this film is a must (you do have to be able to handle sailor-level cussing, otherwise your ears will, in fact, bleed).

Comment Compliment

review by rmurray847. January 17, 2003

posted in Movie Hype

A TRUE GUILTY PLEASURE!

This movie really ought to be junk. The story is a very convoluted kidnapping caper, but it's also a bit stock and predictable. The violence is SO gratuitously over-the-top. And yet, and yet...IT'S A LOT OF FUN!!!It tells the story of two really stupid hoodlums who kidnap a girl who turns out to be surrogate mother for a big-time mobster, and naturally, his henchmen are determined to get this pregnant mother back. And they far outnumber these two stupid guys in brains AND firepower. And the girl … more