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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When their long guns run out of ammo, Parker and Longbaugh are seen sweeping them behind their strong side to access their handguns. About the time the film was made most tactical instructors began looping their three point slings over the weak side shoulder so that when released, the gun would tilt over to the weak side and enable an easier draw of the back-up handgun. Now, many prefer a simple two point sling rigged the same way, which enables better movement and fewer entanglements.

---

Goofs

At the film's ending, after the shoot out at the motel, Parker and Longbaugh wonder why the doctor, followed by Abner, went south. When we see the two cars that are supposedly headed "south", we can see the sun rising behind the cars, to the drivers' right, which would mean that they are heading north, as the sun rises in the east.

---

Quotes

[Parker and Longbaugh are looking at the cash out in the open at the brothel]
Longbaugh: What do you think?
Parker: I think a plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

---

Crazy Credits

Towards the end of the credits: For Arly Thomsen you speak the truth Arly was the Key Grip for this and many other films.

---

Alternate Versions

In Germany, a FSK-16 version was released and was cut. An FSK-18 uncut version was also released.

---

Connections

References Heat (1995)

---

Soundtracks

Piano Concerto No. 23A K.488
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Piano : Danyel Gérard

User Reviews

Ode to Peckinpaugh -neo-noir pulp fiction

THE WAY OF THE GUN (2000) ***1/2 Ryan Phillippe, Benicio del Toro, Juliette Lewis, James Caan, Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt, Scott Wilson, Kristin Lehmann, Geoffrey Lewis, Sarah Silverman.

Christopher McQuarrie makes his directing debut in a big way with an obvious nod to Sam Peckinpaugh with his screenplay about two ne'er do well criminals (Phillippe and del Toro, both exemplary) who decide to make a mark for themselves by kidnapping a very pregnant surrogate mother (Lewis) to a wealthy businessman (Wilson) that eventually pans out to be a big mistake in a tangled web involving the woman's bodyguards (Diggs and Katt) and the bagman friend of the rich man (Caan in one fine, low-key performance of nuanced dread). More than enough rich dialogue and pinpoint camera angle set ups to go around with some live wire moments of unexpected turnarounds, double crosses and shoot outs may be the film's only fault in being an excess of too much of a good thing. A roundelette of pulp fiction best served by its exciting cast (as a side note, del Toro reminded me for some reason as a young Robert Mitchum in some scenes; go figure) and a filmmaker to watch.

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