ferbs54 Not to be confused with the 2005 film "American Gun" starring Donald Sutherland and Forest Whitaker, the 2002 "American Gun" is a very fine drama that was written and directed by Alan Jacobs. I originally rented this fairly obscure little picture because it features Barbara Bain, one of my main gals of the '60s, in one of her too-rare screen appearances, but as it turns out, the film has lots more to offer besides her more-than-welcome presence. In it, she plays Anne Tillman, who lives in Vermont with her husband Martin (supremely well played by James Coburn, in his last film role), and whose daughter Penny (the lovely Virginia Madsen) is tragically gunned down during a Xmas visit. This sets the grieving Martin on a cross-country odyssey, using the gun's serial number, to learn the history of this weapon and to confront its owner. The viewer thus learns that the gun was once used to defend a kidnapped woman, was stolen from a medical student in NYC, and was used in a teenage revenge attack/suicide. The journey that Martin takes culminates in Las Vegas, where, in a brilliantly realized series of flashbacks, we see the deeper reasons for his grief, and all our nagging questions are resolved. It is a pretty devastating finale, I must say, and one that will doubtlessly leave most viewers gasping with astonishment. Jacobs, whose direction is sometimes flashy but whose script is fairly understated, is surely a talent to be reckoned with; I look forward to seeing more of his work. His "American Gun" is a picture that should be required viewing for all NRA members, as well as for all film lovers who want to see Coburn, here in the twilight of his days, flash that trademarked toothy grin one more time. In a film suffused with so much sadness, that grin looks all the brighter....

MarieGabrielle This film has many flashbacks and nuances, and you do need to pay attention or may miss a segment of the plot.James Coburn again delivers as Martin Tillman, a man who is a World War II veteran; we see many nostalgic flashbacks. Barbara Bain as his wife, and Virginia Madsen as their daughter. She also has a young daughter, Mia, well-portrayed by Alexandra Holden.Coburn loses his daughter (Madsen) through a tragic accident on Christmas eve. As the film proceeds, we see him travel cross country tracing the history of the weapon, a handgun which the police let him have. He visits the factory where the guns are made, and an employee has a picture there of his own daughter who was murdered. He travels to Miami, Florida. A woman who owned the gun there saved herself from being murdered on I-95. In California he encounters a young girl who, while on a double date with friends, is suddenly a victim of violence.There is an unexpected turn at the end of the story, which I will not divulge. Coburn spends a great deal of time soul searching; why did this happen?...Why me?. He visits the pastor, who has no answer. Coburn is also simmering with rage, and we feel for him as the story progresses.He also tracks down Penny Tillman's daughter, Mia, and tries to help her; she is living a transient life in Las Vegas. Tillman as her grandfather expresses his concern, and wonders at the randomness of life.What you will come away with from this film is many internal questions; (i.e. what would you do?). This is not simply a morality play or agenda against gun ownership. It is a human story, addressing the human factor, error, and emotions, and the sad fact that one cannot reverse time to change what they could or should have done to prevent a tragedy.

mdesantis I had never heard of this movie but caught it On Demand on cable. The late James Coburn was absolutely brilliant in this film. I am sure this may not be an NRA favorite, but you cannot watch this film without feeling how much impact and how much of a scar a few seconds of human error can cause when a trigger is pulled. The "message" of this film is as loud and clear as the retort of a gunshot. This is truly a powerful film, yet it was made in such a seemingly understated way.The entire "journey" that Martin Tillman(Coburn) makes in this film completely absorbed me right through to him staring into the camera at the end of the film. If you ever get the chance to see this film, do it. Don't expect to feel good when it is over, but do expect to think about it for a while.I don't think I will ever forget Coburn's response when asked if he believed in God and he says, " I believe in God, but I'm just not sure what to make of him." There are plenty of other moments in this little film that have stuck with me long after I watched it. That happened to me with a another little film called "Tender Mercies" with Robert Duval made quite a few years ago. Both films do a tremendous job showing the human struggle to overcome tragedy with dignity and perseverance.

zsenorsock I was really enjoying this film. It was nice to see James Colburn going out on a strong performance in a film that was well made, with interesting vignettes about the history of the gun. I thought he received good support from Virginia Madsen and Barbara Bain. Everything seemed to be going along quite well, and then came the big twist ending. I almost stopped the DVD of this as soon as I realized what direction this film was suddenly taking. But I had enjoyed it so much up to that point, I decided to gut it out, hoping I was wrong and that the filmmakers would NOT go in the direction they were heading. But alas, it was not to be. The ending alone was enough to lower my vote of this otherwise fine film from a 7 to a 5. Colburn was great in it however (but check out the size of this man's knuckles!!!) and worth seeing for any of his many fans.