The Way of the Gun (2000)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Christopher McQuarrie

Writer (WGA):

Christopher McQuarrie (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Two criminal drifters without sympathy get more than they bargained for after kidnapping and holding for ransom the surrogate mother of a powerful and shady man.

Plot Keywords:

Surrogate Mother | Mexico | Kidnapping | Ransom | Russian Roulette

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 19

2:45 AM

SHOW

Cast

Ryan Phillippe	...	Mr. Parker
Benicio Del Toro	...	Mr. Longbaugh
Juliette Lewis	...	Robin
Taye Diggs	...	Jeffers
Nicky Katt	...	Obecks
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Abner Mercer
Dylan Kussman	...	Dr. Allen Painter
Scott Wilson	...	Hale Chidduck
Kristin Lehman	...	Francesca Chidduck
James Caan	...	Joe Sarno
Henry Griffin	...	P. Whipped
Armando Guerrero	...	Federale #1 (as Mando Guerrero)
Andres Orozco	...	Federale #2
Jan Jensen	...	Receptionist
José Pérez	...	? (as Jose Perez)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence/gore, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

119 min | Spain:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | USA:R (certificate #37339) | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Germany:18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Mexico:C | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | Singapore:PG (cut)

Filming Locations:

Abandoned Gas Station, Skull Valley, Utah, USA

Company:

Artisan Entertainment

Trivia:

The name of the motel, Nacio Madre, translates to "birth mother".

Goofs:

Continuity: The first card in the game of hearts said to be placed is two of clubs, but in the long shot it is seen to be a high number heart (10?). All following shots show the correct cards.

Quotes:

Parker: A pint of your blood can fetch you fifty bucks. A shot of cum, three grand.

Movie Connections:

References Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Soundtrack:

Fiesta

"The longest distance between two points is a kidnapper and his money."

Thus is a line that sums up "The Way of the Gun" a superb yet complex Crime Thriller that has stayed relatively under the radar when it comes to the mainstream.

"The Way of the Gun" has drawn comparison to the works of film icon Quentin Tarintino, but personally it shares more with it's Director's (Christopher McQuarrie) other baby, "The Usual Suspects."

The story revolves around two Criminal Associates, who the viewers know only as as Parker (Phillippe) and Longbaugh (Del Toro). The two are your typical petty criminal drifters, living essentially with the clothes on their back and undertaking odd tasks for cash. The beginning of the movie finds our anti-heroes donating Sperm for a few bucks. It's while at this sperm bank the two stumble upon an opportunity to bag some real dough. Kidnap the surrogate mother of a rich 'businessman' and hold her for ransom. The two rush into the plan without adequate knowledge of who exactly they're messing with, which, suffice to say, makes things a lot more complicated than they had to be.

"The Way of the Gun" relies heavily on both it's acting and realistic action. On the acting side of the spectrum, all roles are very well carried out within their confines. Parker and Longbaugh have an assumed friendship which makes for a 'buddy comedy' aspect (ala Butch Cassidy and Sundance), and overall the cast does very well with undertones (mainly due to the complexity and implied nature of the script, which is SUPERB!), never overdoing things, just throwing a line out to the viewer so they can figure things out.

The realistic action is a breath of fresh air and nostalgia in today's 'CGI gunfight' era. The gunfights in "The Way of the Gun" don't have slow motion, they don't have ripple effects, they don't have exaggerated firearm reports. In fact, "The Way of the Gun" has some of the most realistic gunplay in a movie to date. Realistic Ballistics, Specs, and Tactics are the name of the game here, and any gun enthusiast will find it to be good news.

So when it all comes down to it, "The Way of the Gun" shows what can happen when a strong script, strong acting, and strong direction come together. The Hollywood types should take notes.

8/10