In 1871's New Mexico Territory, Jane Hammond's (Natalie Portman) husband Bill (Noah Emmerich) returns home from having been bullet riddled by the revenge seeking Bishop Boys (Ewan McGregor, Boyd Holbrook). After stabilizing him, she gets her young daughter to safety and seeks out assistance from an old boyfriend, Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton), who at first is reluctant to help, still smarting from losing her years before. He eventually does and through well-sprinkled flashbacks we learn about their relationship and why the Bishops are seeking to kill Jane's husband in the first place.This film opened to mixed reviews and died at the box office but don't let that discourage you from watching one of the best Western action movies of recent memory led by Ms. Portman in a memorable performance. From a tear-stained face as she says goodbye to her little girl to the steel in her eyes as she guns down a gunslinger, she puts her stamp on the genre as an intelligent, complicated protagonist. And in an era where the emphasis has turned to revisionism or hybrid Westerns, damn if it isn't nice to have straightforward storytelling with a climax that actually delivers the goods. Jane Got a Gun may have had a troubled, lackluster start but this film will age well.
7 comments:
I've seen trailers for this a few times and thought it looked good, but I've never actually gotten around to watching it. I'll add it to the list now though and see if I can track down a copy.
I never even heard of this. I'll have to see if we have it at the library.
Alan/Charles, A film that should have gotten a lot more exposure.
David – This is one I need to see again. Thanks for the review and the reminder.
You bet, Elgin.
David, far from being discouraged I'd like to see this film because of the unusual storyline and also because Portman is a fine actress.
Portman is a fine actress and she's the reason I watched Jane Got A Gun in the first place. I hope she does more Westerns. It suits her well.
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