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» » Man with a Gun (1995)

Short summary

Take a walk on the dark side with hired gun John Hardin. When Hardin's boss, powerful mobster Jack Rushton puts a contract out on his scheming and sexy wife Rena, Hardin confronts an assassin's worst fear-having to kill his own lover. Rena is counting on having Hardin kill her twin sister instead, but she didn't count on Hardin having a conscience. And when he refuses to murder an innocent woman, he finds himself trapped between lust and loyalty in a deadly game of blackmail, betrayal and brutality.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Bradeya
    I read the comments before seeing this flick, but I disagree. This film is effective in its combination of a reasonable plot, worthy acting, a good cast, and violent as well as soft segments. The two roles played by Jennifer Tilly were believable. Michael Madsen did a great job as the thoughtful tough guy. Also, the theme of loyalty or lack thereof gave the film more meaning.
  • comment
    • Author: Jonariara
    This is modern, skeleton Noir. Within that framework, it is certainly viewable, with Tilly a standout as the femme fatal. In monochrome color, first-person narrative flashback, a jazzy soundtrack, interesting camerawork, and betrayal themes, it appears as a true genre piece. Unfortunately, the script plus the filmmakers' glint toward Schwarzenegger-like action, ruin any dark ambiance they establish. It's all here: the tough but soft-hearted hero, viperous femme, over-the-top bad guy, the black sidekick slated for torture/death. And it all rapidly blows away like gunsmoke during the cartoonish shootouts.

    Madsen is in typical Rourke-mode, but with a little more compassion squinting his eyes. Tilly is all whiskey-throated slur as Rina and little-girl whine as Cathy. The movie definitely needs more of Rina, because, with the exception of Busey's Wild Man, she's the cast's only interest. The giveaway is in the prologue, where, in sepia-tone, slow-mo, and voice-over narrative, Madsen labors his death scene, blazing away with dual, silver-toned guns and a monotone from a mortally-wounded script. Ultimately, it boils down to the bullets and body count, without enough desperation or resignation to warrant the blood.
  • comment
    • Author: Uthergo
    I rented this movie because I like both the leads, namely, Michael Madsen and Jennifer Tilly. Well, they (along with Robert Loggia and Gary Busey) play to type, the cynical but thoughtful man with a gun and the female fatale that you would not want to cross. The problem is that this movie is basically all atmosphere without much of a story to make it that interesting. Madsen is a world weary hitman who has a conscience -- he can't kill Tilly's innocent twin (Tilly as an innocent is almost worth the price of the rental), so he protects her no matter how dangerous it might be. Loggia and Busey complete the typecasting as mob members, Busey giving his typical performance as a bit of a nut. It is probably worth the price of the rental for fans of the genre (I guess film noir fits) and the stars, but it all seemed by the numbers to me. Madsen in particular deserves better roles -- you are better off checking out "House in the Hills"
  • comment
    • Author: Gogal
    Michael Madsen, Jennifer Tilly, Gary Busey, and Robert Loggia, are totally wasted in this film, mainly because the script reads like it went through a blender. Characters appear out of nowhere with zero development. You've seen it all before, only there perhaps it made a little bit of sense. I mean, Michael Madsen knows Jennifer Tilly's Sister for about fifteen minutes and falls for her. People show up in locations for gun-play, with you the viewer, having no idea how they knew how to get there. Forget the fine cast, skip this movie, and avoid wearing out your finger with the fast forward button. You have been warned. - MERK
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Michael Madsen Michael Madsen - John Wilbur Hardin
    Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly - Rena Rushton / Kathy Payne
    Gary Busey Gary Busey - Jack Rushton
    Robert Loggia Robert Loggia - Philip Marquand
    Ian Tracey Ian Tracey - Roy Burchill
    Bill Cobbs Bill Cobbs - Henry Griggs
    Bill Dow Bill Dow - Ed Quigley
    Jason Schombing Jason Schombing - Eli Spindel
    Andrew Guy Andrew Guy - Italian Stud
    Aleksandra Kosanovic Aleksandra Kosanovic - Ticket Agent
    Mina E. Mina Mina E. Mina - Max Appleman
    Bill Finck Bill Finck - Conductor
    Aieisha Li Aieisha Li - Young Girl
    Garvin Cross Garvin Cross - Wise Guy
    Sonny Surowiec Sonny Surowiec - Lithe Thug
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