Review of Jane Got a Gun (2015) by Patrick L — 17 Aug 2016

"It's far from a flop but "Jane Got a Gun" is a dull and boring Western".

DVD Movie Review: Jane Got a Gun.

Date Viewed: June 2 2016.

Directed By Gavin O'Connor (Tumbleweeds, Miracle, Pride & Glory and Warrior).

Screenplay By Brian Duffield, Anthony Tambakis and Joel Edgerton, Story By Brian Duffield.

Starring: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, Ewan McGregor, Noah Emmerich, Rodrigo Santoro, Boyd Holbrook, Alex Manette, James Burnett and Sam Quinn.

Boy was this thing a troubled production, there were multiple casting changes, a directorial change, the movie had it's release date changed multiple times and the original studio filed for Bankruptcy last year. Relativity Media then lost their rights to distribute the Natalie Portman led western "Jane Got a Gun" so it was acquired by The Weinstein Company and they shoved it into the dumping ground month of January. Even though it only cost $25 million to make, it still became a huge bomb, it only grossed 1.5 million domestically.

In my opinion, "Jane Got a Gun" is not a flop but it's a dull and boring Western with nothing to show. A lot of talented people including Portman, Ewan McGregor and Joel Edgerton (who also co-wrote) are wasted in this little misfire from director Gavin O'Connor (Tumbleweeds, Miracle, Pride & Glory and Warrior) who took over the project after original director Lynne Ramsey (We Need to Talk About Kevin) decided to abandon ship.

The film centers around our main character Jane Hammond (Portman) who has built a new life and with her husband, Bill "Ham" Hammond (Noah Emmerich) after being tormented by the Bishop Boys gang led by their ruthless leader John Bishop (McGregor). WOW! Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padme Amidala are together again! Suddenly, Jane's husband comes home only to be riddled with bullets. Jane finds herself in Bishop territory again as she is forced to team up with her former fiance Dan Frost (Edgerton).

While trying to protect her family from certain death, Jane is still haunted by old memories from the past. Director O'Connor adds little flair to the story and the characters are not well-written. It's exciting to have a female actress take the lead in a Western but exciting is what's missing in "Jane Got a Gun".

Originally, Michael Fassbender was supposed to take the Dan Frost role and Bradley Cooper and Jude Law were considered for the John Bishop role but all three players left the project together. Good for them. It's not terrible but instead of getting a gun, Jane should've got a better movie than this.