The Way of the Gun (2000)

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.

Director:

Christopher McQuarrie

Writer:

Christopher McQuarrie

Stars:

Ryan Phillippe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan Phillippe	...	Mr. Parker
Benicio Del Toro	...	Harold 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 Hanks	...	Receptionist (as Jan Jensen)
José Pérez	...	? (as Jose Perez)

Storyline

Two petty if violent criminals kidnap a girl being paid $1m to be a surrogate mother. As the baby is for a gangster the pair's demand for money sees several henchmen and assorted other ruthless characters head after them to Mexico. Bullets rather than talking are always going to settle this one.

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Plot Keywords:

criminal | money | kidnapping | pregnant woman | truck stop | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The main characters meticulously adhere to trigger discipline when handling their weapons: the only time their fingers are actually on the trigger, is when they are willing to shoot somebody.

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Goofs

The shape and size of the bandage (and the blood thereon) above Dr. Parker's right eye while he's in the truck stop restroom talking to Parker and Longbaugh.

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Quotes

[Narration after the shoot-out at the brothel]
Parker: We don't want your forgiveness. We won't make excuses. We're not gonna blame you, even if you are an accessory... But we will not except your natural order. We didn't come for absolution, we didn't ask to be redeemed. But isn't how it is, every goddamn time... Your prayers are always answered, in the order they're received...

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Crazy Credits

Henry Griffin is listed as P. Whipped. He is the guy whose girlfriend is yelling at Parker and Longbaugh and ends up fighting them, thus he is "P[ussy] Whipped."

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Connections

Referenced in Justified: Measures (2012)

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Soundtracks

Rip This Joint
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones

User Reviews

You like Urban Legends? Don't Bother With this one

This is not for the moronic MTV generation who needs their entertainment stupid, fast, and spoken in baby-talk. This is a movie for adults. It's an entertainment-as-heck movie. The action is superbly shot and the scenes where there's only dialogue is just as well-shot and paced. For a first picture, it's amazing what McQuarrie has done.

There is absolutely nothing in this movie that you could have predicted. Yes, yes, the plot is similar to a hundred movies. Robbery/kidnapping goes awry, criminals attack/shootout at end. Yes, yes, we get all that. But besides all those points, and you go see this movie and you can come out and tell me you KNEW what was going to happen in the scene coming up, you're a liar.

I've seen thousands of movies and this one made me sit up and take notice. it's bloody as heck. There's ton of gunplay, and the c section in the Mexican hotel will make you squirm in your seat. The gunfire is loud (as gunfire should be) and will make you jump whenever someone fires a gun.

If you like well-made action, this movie's for you. The Third Act shootout alone was worth the price of admission. I'm waiting for a Part Two myself.

Details

Official Sites:

Vidio [Indonesia]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Way of the Gun

Filming Locations:

Abandoned Gas Station, Skull Valley, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,150,979, 10 September 2000

Gross USA:

$6,055,661

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,200,972

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artisan Entertainment, Aqaba Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1