Shooters (2002)

Directors:

Glenn Durfort
Colin Teague

Writers:

Louis Dempsey (writer)
Andrew Howard (writer)

Release Date:

25 January 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

In the tradition of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Plot:

Cast

Adrian Dunbar	...	Max Bell
Andrew Howard	...	J
Louis Dempsey	...	Gilly
Gerard Butler	...	Jackie Junior
Jason Hughes	...	Charlie Franklin
Matthew Rhys	...	Eddie
Ioan Gruffudd	...	Freddy Guns
Jamie Sweeney	...	Skip
Melanie Lynskey	...	Marie
Emma Fielding	...	Detective Inspector Sarah Pryce
David Kennedy	...	Sergeant Webb
Joe Swash	...	Boy #1 (as Joseph Swash)
Ranjit Krishnamma	...	Pac
Nitin Ganatra	...	Ajay
Walter Roberts	...	Jason

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and sexuality.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK | Netherlands | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | Germany:18 | UK:18 | USA:R | Finland:K-18

Company:

Catapult Productions

Quotes:

Max Bell: So, what's this thing you've got for me then?
Detective Inspector Sarah Pryce: Jackie Jr.'s just flown in.
Max Bell: So?
[Hands Max pictures of Jackie talking to J]
Detective Inspector Sarah Pryce: Your boy's a real entrepreneur.
[Max looking at the pictures]
Max Bell: So tell me something I don't know, yeah?
Detective Inspector Sarah Pryce: He's been selling guns behind your back.
Max Bell: [laughs] You've seen him, have you?
Detective Inspector Sarah Pryce: [Hands Max a gun] Let's just say he sold me one by default.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References True Romance (1993)

Shooters Redeemed by Actors

Shooters might have been condemned to be a mediocre movie if not for a few telling items. The atmosphere, scenery, and outstanding actors redeem this film. Shooters isn't a movie to go to, if you're looking for something flashy. Instead Shooters gives a dreary look into the life of two gangsters. The atmosphere is exactly what it should be. It carries you with J (Andrew Howard) and Gilly (Louis Dempsey), forcing you to the building sense of everything losing control. The gritty, true-to-life feel is somewhat lost at the end--leaving a feeling of shock or anti-climax. Still, it is a much better film than many give it credit for.

As previously stated, the actors are superb. Particularly, Andrew Howard as J was a powerful character. Howard is what really propels the story along. Poor Dempsey (Gilly) seems dull and lack-luster compared to Howard's dynamic acting. Also noteworthy would be Gerard Butler (Jackie Jr), Matthew Rhys (Eddie), and Adrian Dunbar (Max Dunbar).

Shooters is worth your time, if you're looking for something that doesn't rely on special effects to keep hold of it's audience's attention. Andrew Howard is definitely an actor to keep an eye on.