American Gun is a film from 2002, probably most well known for being the final film role of James Coburn more than anything else.
Which is a shame on many levels. I first came across it while in my local Blockbuster not long after its release and picked it up because of Virginia’s name on the cover. I’d not heard of it before and, to be honest it’s not really one I’ve seen anyone else talk about other than in reference to James Coburn.
American Gun follows the travels of Martin Tillman (James Coburn) as a grieving father following the history of the gun that was used in his daughter Penny’s (Virginia Madsen) fatal shooting.
So, yeah not a happy feel-good kind of film by any stretch of the imagination.
Martin, somehow, manages to get hold of the gun from the Police Station after the event and uses the serial number to track it back through its life. He starts at the factory which it was made and follows it through Gun Stores, Gun Shows and individuals who have owned the gun.
It’s not a totally linear story, and I also feel that this is a film that should be experienced without knowing a lot about it, so I don’t really want to dive into much of the story here. It’s honestly best watched blind, at least on your first go. That’s how I experienced it at least and I’m glad I did. I’m not even going to tempt your fate with spoiler tags.
As a warning though, it’s very much, and deservedly so, a James Coburn film. Virginia Madsen is in it, but only in flashbacks as the film is set after her death, and she’s not in it a lot. BUT, when she is in it, you’re paying attention. It’s one of her better acting roles and gives her the chance to show what she can do, no matter how briefly. It’s weird to say it for a film in which she has so little screen time, but if you’re a fan, and I assume you are, then you want to see this one.
All of that being said. When I re-watched this, it had less of an impact on me than the first time. I was blown away with it then, but not so much now. I don’t know if it’s because I’d seen it before, or times had moved on. I think I picked up on a lot of, I hesitate to use the word problems, but I guess that’s what they are. Things sometimes aren’t explained well, or, right at least. Apart from one thing I guess most of them can be explained away but you know, irks me a little.
American Gun is another film with divided reviews. There seems to be a lot of love for it, but I don’t know if that’s because of James Coburn, he gets mentioned a lot. It is his film, don’t get me wrong but you can see they were written after his death.
I’d be comfortable recommending this one. If not for the story for Virginia herself, this is a performance that deserves to be seen – Brief as it is.
Availability:
Not too troublesome on DVD Region 1 and 2 – I see VHS copies floating about as well. Varying prices though. It can also be found on some streaming channels depending on your locale, you might need a VPN.
Trailer:
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