Review of Jane Got a Gun (2015) by Maksim B — 26 Mar 2016

A simple, straightforward and classic Western, Jane Got a Gun is an undeservedly trashed by the critics delivery. Filled with violence, glimpses of feminism and fine acting, this is a well-crafted gender-piece which might not energize the mainstream audiences, but it will definitely entertain the fans of Westerns and classic film-making.

The story is pretty simple and generic. A former gang member (Noah Emmerich) is living peacefully with his life Jane (Natalie Portman) when his past reaches him. Badly wounded he returns back to his farm as it seems that his former gang is searching for him. For his wife, there is nothing left, but to take the rifle, the gun and to ask for the help of her former fiancée Dan (Joel Edgerton). They team up together in order to fight back the gang of Ewan McGregor in a violent and bloody fight. Given the fact that all events have their roots in the apst, including the sort of love triangle involving Emmerich, Portman and Edgerton, director Gavin O'Connor uses multiple times flashback scenes which unfortunately fail to match the rest of the movie. Meant to build up a strong emotional connection to the character, the flashback structure fails to do so and the movie suffers from this as it turns into a violent and grim action. The solid performances of Natalie Portman and especially of Joel Edgerton (of whom I have become a fan long time ago) help elevate Gavin O'Connor's movie above the level of mediocrity, but it could have been a much better delivery.

In conclusion, Jane Got a Gun is not as bad as the critics reviews imply. Simple, entertaining and just what a Western should be, it delivers a proper and passable entertainment within a very specific genre.