Product Description: Convinced theyll score big moeny by kidnapping a young surrogate mother carrying the child of a wealthy southwestern couple two small-caliber crooks soon run into major problems. Realizing too late theyre in over their heads the kidnappers fight to keep their plan from unraveling. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 04/20/2004 Starring: Ryan Phillippe Juliette Lewis Run time: 119 minutes Rating: R Director: Christopher Mcquarrie
Amazon.com: The big selling point for The Way of the Gun is the fact that it was written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the guy who wrote The Usual Suspects. Benicio Del Toro and Ryan Phillippe star as two low-rent criminals who fall into a plan to kidnap a surrogate mother (Juliette Lewis) who is carrying a baby for a very wealthy couple. The duo are immediately in over their heads, and their kidnapping plot brings to light the dark and hidden tendrils of the old man's family structure. It also brings on lots of gunfights and lots of blood. McQuarrie creates some good action sequences (particularly the slow-moving car "chase" through the alleys), but that only serves to emphasize the one major weakness of the film: the script. Though it's chock full of macho declarations, shootouts, and "surprise" revelations, the core story is ultra-predictable. That wouldn't be so bad if there were any characters to care about, but only a supporting performance from James Caan elicits any kind of sympathy. This is merely a movie based on violent movies, with no additional commentary. Then again, McQuarrie does do a nice job with much of the action. Though nowhere near as good as The Usual Suspects, particularly in its story, The Way of the Gun is a promising debut for McQuarrie as a director. --Andy Spletzer
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Hard hitting, unusual thriller - great stuff!
The man who wrote "The Usual Suspects" would be expected to deliver well, and he did. This is a terrific, tense and blazing film. The acting is strong and the script a harse, tense ride. This is a great ... Read More
Rating: - Contemporary western with Benicio at his best
This movie got me hooked on Benicio del Toro. The subtle dialogue between he and Ryan Phillippe is priceless, and if you like a movie with less dialogue and more suspense (i.e. No Country for Old Men) then ... Read More
Rating: - Brutal
"Way of the Gun" was directed by Christopher McQuarrie who has the film "Valkyrie" coming out soon. I found the subject matter brutal, more than one would expect from the title.
Rating: - Good Acting, horrible movie.
This movie was silly. Some great performances and great actors were wasted. James Caan was great, but with the story so disjointed and boring scenes of shootings, I just didn't like this movie. The scenes with ... Read More
Rating: - Your cup of tea only if you are a hard core action fan who likes quotable one liners
Written and directed by the scriptwriter of the excellent The Usual Suspects, Way of the Gun has a conventional plot, lots of shoot 'em up action, and a number of lines which will stick with you for days.
... Read More
- Hard hitting, unusual thriller - great stuff!
- Brutal
- Good Acting, horrible movie.