"The Way Of The Gun" is an interesting example of a "buddy" film that people instantly love or hate. I fall on the "Love" side of that snap decision because I have a fondness for quirky characters, well done machismo, visceral action choreography and well delivered, memorable "noir" lines (such as "I think a plan is just a list of things that don't happen.")
I will readily admit the "WOTG" is not for everyone, and I can see why. The movie doesn't really have a single admirable or likable character, even though there seem to be at least a dozen struggling with each other in the film. (The best you can say of any of them is that everyone has their reasons for what they do, and that no one is completely rotten). There are pacing problems - the film is probably about 15 minutes too long. The movie revels in its violence, in fact often it seems to be just another exercise in staging interesting gun battles. And the downbeat, defiant ending will irritate and exasperate many fans of more 'traditional' Westerns and crime thrillers.
But if you liked the old Sam Peckinpah movies, and want to see seedy characters who positively ooze machismo and nihilism, this is the movie for you. And there is a quirky streak of gallows humor here which leavens the grimness and bloodiness of the proceedings - little bits of physical humor (especially from Del Toro and a wonderful "Sad Sack" played by Geoffrey Lewis) here and there, along with moments of unexpected humanity and sympathy (the mother who wants to keep her baby serves as the excuse for most of there) that keep this from just being an "R"-rated version of "Rough Night In Jericho". And every character is given interesting, revealing lines which explicate their reasons and rationales for their (seemingly indefensible) actions, and these lines are written and delivered with real acting chops.
Believe it or not, one of the interesting subtexts of "Gun" is that it does NOT glorify violence. Gun battles are loud, messy and scary; meat explodes as bullets penetrate bodies; people go down and stay down and blood in the dust is enough to make the gorge rise. What "Gun" does glorify, though, is the matter-of-fact, deadpan professionalism and intent with which the main characters engage in these battles. It isn't bravado; the characters have left bravado behind long ago...it's simply a wholesale acceptance of the consequences of the path they have chosen, I.E., "The Way Of The Gun".
Especially interesting here is Ryan Philippe, who normally specializes in "Tiger Beat Boy Crush" roles - with very little change in his delivery or acting mannerisms, he is completely believable as a hard-bitten street samurai, able and willing to kidnap, torture and kill in pursuit of a big cash score...yet able to feel regret and doubt at odd times. His performance was so effective that what I saw him later in "Cruel Intentions", I kept expecting him to pistol whip his girlfriend instead of kissing her. And Benecio Del Toro and James Caan don't give a false note in the entire film.
So will you like or hate "Way Of The Gun"? Hopefully I've given the reader enough information to decide for his or her self. Count me as a fan of the movie, and one who admits to having watched the DVD with the commentary track on, twice. (BTW, McQ is refreshingly honest in the commentary, and readily admits and discusses the film's flaws and problems.)
I will readily admit the "WOTG" is not for everyone, and I can see why. The movie doesn't really have a single admirable or likable character, even though there seem to be at least a dozen struggling with each other in the film. (The best you can say of any of them is that everyone has their reasons for what they do, and that no one is completely rotten). There are pacing problems - the film is probably about 15 minutes too long. The movie revels in its violence, in fact often it seems to be just another exercise in staging interesting gun battles. And the downbeat, defiant ending will irritate and exasperate many fans of more 'traditional' Westerns and crime thrillers.
But if you liked the old Sam Peckinpah movies, and want to see seedy characters who positively ooze machismo and nihilism, this is the movie for you. And there is a quirky streak of gallows humor here which leavens the grimness and bloodiness of the proceedings - little bits of physical humor (especially from Del Toro and a wonderful "Sad Sack" played by Geoffrey Lewis) here and there, along with moments of unexpected humanity and sympathy (the mother who wants to keep her baby serves as the excuse for most of there) that keep this from just being an "R"-rated version of "Rough Night In Jericho". And every character is given interesting, revealing lines which explicate their reasons and rationales for their (seemingly indefensible) actions, and these lines are written and delivered with real acting chops.
Believe it or not, one of the interesting subtexts of "Gun" is that it does NOT glorify violence. Gun battles are loud, messy and scary; meat explodes as bullets penetrate bodies; people go down and stay down and blood in the dust is enough to make the gorge rise. What "Gun" does glorify, though, is the matter-of-fact, deadpan professionalism and intent with which the main characters engage in these battles. It isn't bravado; the characters have left bravado behind long ago...it's simply a wholesale acceptance of the consequences of the path they have chosen, I.E., "The Way Of The Gun".
Especially interesting here is Ryan Philippe, who normally specializes in "Tiger Beat Boy Crush" roles - with very little change in his delivery or acting mannerisms, he is completely believable as a hard-bitten street samurai, able and willing to kidnap, torture and kill in pursuit of a big cash score...yet able to feel regret and doubt at odd times. His performance was so effective that what I saw him later in "Cruel Intentions", I kept expecting him to pistol whip his girlfriend instead of kissing her. And Benecio Del Toro and James Caan don't give a false note in the entire film.
So will you like or hate "Way Of The Gun"? Hopefully I've given the reader enough information to decide for his or her self. Count me as a fan of the movie, and one who admits to having watched the DVD with the commentary track on, twice. (BTW, McQ is refreshingly honest in the commentary, and readily admits and discusses the film's flaws and problems.)