JANE GOT A GUN (2016)

Genre: Western/Action
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, Ewan McGregor, Rodrigo Santoro, Noah Emmerich, Boyd Holbrook, Alex Manette, Todd Stashwick, James Burnett, Sam Quinn
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: NC-16 (Violence and Some Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 18 February 2016

Synopsis: Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman) has built a life on the rugged western plains with her husband Bill "Ham" Hammond (Noah Emmerich) and young daughter. When Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after a run-in with the relentless John Bishop (Ewan McGregor) and his gang, she knows they will not stop until her family is dead. In desperation, Jane turns to Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton), a man from her past, for help. Haunted by old memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heart-stopping battle for survival.

Movie Review:

The title of this action drama western movie seems to promise lots of kick ass action – the kind that will make ladies proud of their gender. A lady with a gun: that sure sounds like a dangerous thing. After all, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Plus, the fact that the film takes place in the wild, wild west makes people think that there will be lots of gunslinging action.

So, we were all set to thrown in the middle of a good ol’ tale of revenge. What we got instead though, was a rather bland movie starring some very good actors.

We know what Natalie Portman is capable of. The Best Actress at the 83^rd Academy Awards (Black Swan) has delivered memorable performances in her career, be it her film debut as a child assassin in Luc Besson’s Leon: The Professional (1994) or as a passionate vigilante in the political thriller V For Vendetta (2006). Her co star Joel Edgarton was particularly memorable as the aggressive and abusive Tom Buchanan in the The Great Gatsby (2013) and the powerful pharaoh Ramesses II in Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014). Ewan McGregor reunites with Portman after protecting her Queen Amidala in a galaxy far, far away (Star Wars Episodes I – III). This time, the Scottish actor stars as a villain out to destroy the titular character’s happiness.

The fine ensemble cast also includes Noah Emmerich (Super 8, Warrior), Rodrigo Santoro (300, Rio) and Boyd Holbrook (Gone Girl, Run All Night).

Helmed by Gavin O’ Connor (Miracle, Pride and Glory), the 98 minute movie lists Portman as one of the producers, and Edgerton as one of the screen writers. The story has the female protagonist Portman) asking her ex lover (Edgerton) to help her save her outlaw husband (Emmerich) from a violent gang led by a ruthless man (McGregor).

Do not get us wrong – this is a sturdy and well made film, with commendable cinematography featuring breathtaking landscapes and steadfast editing. However, we get a feeling that in the process of trying to impress, the filmmakers got a little too serious with things. There aren’t many surprises in store, and you hear the characters talk about their feelings – a lot. As a result, the expectations of a classic Western were not met, and left us wanting very much to see some action for a good three quarters of the movie.

Those who want to see Portman kick some ass may be disappointed as well. Jane definitely won’t go down movie history like The Bride from Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series. There are lengthy flashback sequences which feel somewhat dreary, and the film never does move at an engaging pace. We couldn’t find ourselves connecting emotionally to any of the characters (McGregor’s bad guy was quite fun to watch though – he is almost unrecognisable behind that seedy moustache), and the somber tone of the production became its greatest flaw.

The final showdown injects a little energy into the otherwise dullish movie, but the effort comes across as too little, too late.

Movie Rating:

(The overly somber tone of this Western flick bogs the movie down so much that it becomes a dull and forgettable piece of work)  

Review by John Li