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

Color:

Color

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 original painting by "Oliver Dear", that is hanging in the Mexican brothel scene was originally painted and used in the TV movie Purgatory (1999) (TV).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Longabaugh shoots the first Federale with the sniper rifle, the sonic crack of the bullet is heard, and the impact is seen, before the report of the rifle is audible, indicating a range of over 700 yards, far beyond the range of Jeffers' pistol. Yet Jeffers is able to put down effectively accurate suppressive fire at that range.

Quotes:

Longbaugh: You know what I'm gonna tell God when I see him? I'm gonna tell him I was framed.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Life Before Her Eyes (2007)

Soundtrack:

Comin' on Thru

I thought it was great

I can only comment negatively about one scene in the movie. I thought the movie was extremely effective in building up the intensity of certain scenes, however they used probably their most dramatic and climatic orchestra number for a scene where they simply dumped bags of money into a truck and drove off. My girlfriend and I stood confused as the music built up and built up, then finally climaxed. Didn't make a bit of sense to either of us.

With that said- I thought this movie was outstanding. Benicio Del Toro has this presence about him that radiates "coolness", and Ryan Phillippe did a remarkable job as well with his role. There were scenes in which hardly any dialogue was spoken, yet whole paragraphs were spoken through facial expressions. Thats a testament to the abilities of the actors right there. The double meaning of the game of hearts explanation was fascinating and fun to decipher.

Plots twists galore, not a single one of them predictable. The terminology was all new to me (i.e. bagman/dejudication I think it was...) and it made me feel like I was actually participating in the movie.

This is a thinkers movie, and some people may not be in the mood for that. The entirely creative car chase scenes and shoot out sequences are enough to satisfy the most mindless action fan, however.

This movie is just cool.