American Gun (2002)

When his daughter is shot just before Christmas, Martin Tillman journeys across the U.S. using the gun's serial number to track down the truth behind Penny's killing.

Director:

Alan Jacobs

Writer:

Alan Jacobs

Stars:

James Coburn, Virginia Madsen, Barbara Bain

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Coburn	...	Martin Tillman
Virginia Madsen	...	Penny Tillman
Barbara Bain	...	Anne Tillman
Alexandra Holden	...	Mia
Ryan Locke	...	Young Martin
Niesha Trout	...	Young Anne
Jesse Pennington	...	Pastor
Jason Winther	...	Mike
Alex Feldman	...	McNee
Paula O'Hara	...	Jasmine
Martin Kove	...	Theodore Huntley
Walter Jones	...	J.B. (as Walter Emauel Jones)
Andrea C. Pearson	...	Jewel
Anthony Harrell	...	Kyle
Toby Smith	...	Valerie

Storyline

A father who embarks on a nationwide journey to trace the line of ownership of the gun that killed his daughter. Starting with the gun factory, Martin travels to gun stores, trade shows, and individuals, also searching for his runaway granddaughter.

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Plot Keywords:

gun | armed robbery | accidental death | death of daughter | woman shot | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amerikai pisztoly

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Escalon Film Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'James Coburn''s last film.

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Goofs

While Coburn is reading the newspaper obituary of the gun maker's daughter at the American Gun factory, the date is shown as Thursday, March 18, 1988. However, 18 March 1988, actually fell on a Friday, not on a Thursday.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Martin: [narration] The first gun I ever held belonged to my grandfather. Grandpa said he fought alongside Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill. But we never really believed him. Whatever it was he did there in Cuba, one thing is for sure, he brought home a service revolver. It was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

User Reviews

Great ending (in every sense of the word)

JAMES COBURN bowed out like true star in AMERICAN GUN, a strange, yet rewarding cross between ON GOLDEN POND and THE LIMEY (with shades of THE CROSSING GUARD). And for once (oh well, maybe twice) COBURN does not come accross all smooth, cool and calm. He is very human, and is capable of making mistakes (one rather big one, it turns out!) and the director only gives you as many clues as he wants, so that when the events playback in sequence (and only in that order) does the viewer, fully understand the whole story. The final shot of COBURN, all bitter and twisted, yet slightly redeemed, is rather haunting COBURN asside, every performance in this movie is spot-on. The ever gorgeous VIRGINIA MADSEN especially effective, in the few scenes she's in. Once again, i cannot praise this fine movie, but it must be watched till the end (and in one sitting) to be truly appreciated. Oh well, JAMES COBURN, your 'star' will continue to shine on in heaven. But back here on earth, you shone also. You left the world, a better place than when you first found it.

10 out of 10