American Gun (2002)

Coburn makes a graceful exit from the cinema in this thoughtful contemplation on the issue of gun control. He plays a rural father and grandfather whose semi-estranged daughter (Madsen) is shot to death right before Christmas. Wracked with grief and guilt, he sets out on a journey to trace the gun that killed her, ending up with it's last owner. Meanwhile, his wife Bain copes in her own way and his teenage granddaughter Holden flirts with disaster out on her own. The story is told in a way that flashes back to Coburn's own history with guns as a youth and that conceals certain details of the events in order to startle the viewer near the end. Coburn, who is visibly struggling with the pain of arthritis, is solid throughout. He is able to avoid the type of tacky swan song that so many stars wind up in during their autumn years (though he did do quite a few pieces of garbage during the middle of his career like "Looker" and the TV mini-series "Valley of the Dolls", to name only two!) It's refreshing to see him paired with an actress so close to his own age as his wife when, so often, male stars have spouses or girlfriends anywhere from 10 to 30 years younger than them. Bain, who is done no favors by the lighting here, gives a strong performance as well and is believable as his character's wife. Madsen does a fine job as the somewhat troubled daughter. This was done before her attention-getting work in "Sideways" and the film might have garnered a bit more attention had it been released after that. Holden is good in her role, though it's a bit difficult to swallow her transformation in character and appearance. The film isn't particularly believable at all times and is contrived and even pat, but it musters up enough interest and irony (and avoids being too preachy on it's subject) to remain entertaining.

I tried to watch "American Gun" while reading the paper on a Sunday afternoon but soon found myself reading less and watching more. It's a fascinating story about Martin Tillman (played by James Coburn in his last film), an elderly man dealing with the shooting death of his daughter by embarking on a journey to trace the history of the gun used to kill her.Every performance is solid: Virginia Madsen, playing the daughter, Barbara Bain (remember her in the "Mission Impossible" TV show?) as Tillman's wife, Alexandra Holden as their wayward granddaughter...but it's Coburn's movie, to be sure, and he quietly dominates the film even during moments in which he is silent."American Gun" isn't a preachy movie about gun ownership in America at all. It's an intelligent film about the odyssey of a man reflecting on--actually haunted by--his own past as he travels across the country in his obsession to know the history of the gun for reasons that are not completely revealed until the very end of the film--in a surprise twist I'm sure nobody saw coming.Sit down and watch "American Gun" from start to finish. And forget about trying to read the paper, knit, wash the dishes or whatever while it's on. Just be engrossed by talented film-making featuring a talented cast and director anchored by well-written script.

POSSIBLE SPOILER - if you havn't seen the film yet I suggest you return to this review later. I like Coburn so this had to be worth a look. And I have to say, the film was nicely put together, the pace is good, and I liked the gradually emerging situation until you eventually realise what's really been going on. Coburn is as good as you would expect, and Barbara Bain isn't too annoying for a change. However, once the situation *has* become clear, I'm left with one big question about the whole thing. How can Martin Tillman be chasing down the source and tracking the ownership of the gun? How come he gets the gun back? And, more important still, why isn't he in jail?

James Coburn is an actor who has proven his worth by hislongivity. I have admired his work since I was a kid. My admirationcontinues. He was awesome in Affliction and no less awesome inAmerican Gun. This story is very inventive in its telling. It utilizes the device offlashback better than any film in recent memory. It has also,through its multiple story line, enabled to include in its cast avariety of minoroty actors and strong female roles. The issues thatare tackled are well examined. War, male rites of passage,father/daughter, parent/child relationships, faith and forgiveness toname a few. And it manages to not give away its ending. I highlyreccomend this film.