The Gunman

Name: The Gunman
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: March 20, 2015
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 39
Cast: Idris Elba, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstone

2015

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 78 Ratings

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4.6

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4.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 78 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films | Release Date: March 20, 2015 | R

Starring: Idris Elba, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstone, Sean Penn

Summary: An international spy (Sean Penn) must clear his name in order to save himself from the organization that he used to work for.

Director: Pierre Morel

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 115 min

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Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle

Mar 19, 2015

Basically, The Gunman is a movie that asks audiences to sympathize with the equivalent of Lee Harvey Oswald — that is, an Oswald who definitely did it. Oddly enough, it succeeds, partly because the moral climate it presents seems so confused, but mainly because of Penn’s particular aura of irascible integrity. He’s the most irritated action hero since Harrison Ford. Read full review

Empire James Dyer

Mar 16, 2015

Sub-Ludlum plotting but stylishly executed, this offers a fun night out but is far from a nailed-on franchise-starter. Read full review

Steven Rea

Mar 20, 2015

In fact, no one in The Gunman looks happy. And what happened to chivalry? If a fierce squad of goons is coming after you and your ex, whom you still love, and there's only one Kevlar vest to throw on, don't you offer it to her? Apparently not. Read full review

James Mottram

Mar 16, 2015

A genuine disappointment, given the talent involved, and a rare misstep for Penn, who can’t save this moribund vanity project from flatlining. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Mar 19, 2015

It’s not a hard and fast rule, but in general when the main character, sometime in the third act, says, “I did some bad things ... ” and stares off into the middle distance, the implied end of the sentence is “including this movie.” Read full review

Chris Cabin

Mar 15, 2015

The lack of any visual ingenuity, reflexivity, or awareness of genre tropes diminishes the intermittent pleasures of the action's slightly involving kineticism. Read full review

Rex Reed

Mar 18, 2015

For meat-headed incoherence, a badly written, poorly directed and confusingly acted muddle of global nonsense, The Gunman is another ill-conceived entry in the latest dopey trend of middle-aged men blowing up stuff. Read full review

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User Reviews

nrasteiro

Mar 23, 2015

I saw the "The Gunman" in a cinema chair. For me it was simply one of the best movies I've seen lately. The story and the suspense held me to the chair until the end of the movie. In the background there is much reality that is unknown in the interests of a large multinational and itsI saw the "The Gunman" in a cinema chair. For me it was simply one of the best movies I've seen lately. The story and the suspense held me to the chair until the end of the movie. In the background there is much reality that is unknown in the interests of a large multinational and its ability to achieve its goals. Great movie.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

LeZee

Sep 29, 2016

When an assassin becomes a target!

It was not bad, but the same old stuff that we'd seen in so many other films. It was actually based on the book and directed by the 'Taken' filmmaker. An international project, takes place in three different countries, but opens and ends in Congo. ItWhen an assassin becomes a target!

It was not bad, but the same old stuff that we'd seen in so many other films. It was actually based on the book and directed by the 'Taken' filmmaker. An international project, takes place in three different countries, but opens and ends in Congo. It centres on an assassin who had successfully executed a high-profile job in Africa. But a few years later, after giving up those kind of work, all the sudden it comes back to haunt him when some unknown men comes looking for him. So he decides to find who's behind it and why.

Even though it is a familiar theme, very much enjoyable. But the problem is the hero remains unhurt and somebody else dies for him which so cliché. The acting was good, and obviously that is Sean Penn in the lead. The action sequences were okay, but the pace of the film was the reason for me to sit on-board for over 100 minutes.

So if you are not expecting a good story and the stunts, it will do okay, particularly for the time pass. Yes, it had a chance to become a better film, but I think it wanted to replicate the book which is a couple of decades old and in the meantime pieces from it was used in the different films, hence this one looked so old. The critics did not like it, but it is much better than they say, as well as not good as some people claim.

6.5/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

danielgreen

Mar 20, 2015

It's unfair to say "The Gunman" is a bad film. After all, it's expertly shot, scored and edited. The actors authentically portray their characters and Sean Penn, expectedly, is exceptional as Jim Terrier. The plot is credible once we accept that, like most movies, it's a work of fiction. YetIt's unfair to say "The Gunman" is a bad film. After all, it's expertly shot, scored and edited. The actors authentically portray their characters and Sean Penn, expectedly, is exceptional as Jim Terrier. The plot is credible once we accept that, like most movies, it's a work of fiction. Yet "The Gunman" still fails on a thematic level. It's major problem is that it lacks focus. It attempts to provide a character study within the context of a political thriller through the convention of an action film.

A brief summary is necessary: Jim Terrier works for a private security company that is part of a conspiracy network to assassinate unfriendly political officials in developing countries. So, the company orders Terrier to murder a political official, which he does, and he then flees the country. Several years later Terrier feels remorseful and then tries to redeem himself through honorable non-profit work. Yet, his life is then threatened and he uses his special operations skills to identify and shatter the conspiracy network that is behind it.

In the process, he confronts a jealous friend and a former girlfriend that still loves him but feels betrayed by his earlier abandonment. Simultaneously, American congressmen and INTERPOL investigate the now esteemed private security company over its alleged past misdeeds. Because by representing the financial interests of its clients, it instigated and compounded the problems that plagued the developing country, in this case the DRC, insofar as resource exploitation, government corruption and civil war are concerned. It's implied that developing countries continue to be exploited by financial interests that rely on private military contractors to resolve their political problems.

I commend "The Gunman" for its ambitions and for presenting a restrained yet suspenseful action thriller. But because it attempts to tackle all of the themes above, it fails in successfully addressing any of them. So, the viewer leaves the theatre apathetic and confused. He asks, what exactly is the point of this movie? And unfortunately, one can't use the excuse that ambiguity is its point and justify it on the principle that its dealing with complex matters.

In "The Gunman", Sean Penn, as lead actor, co-writer and producer, attempted to use the action genre to create a more serious and meaningful film. And yes, it's more interesting, credible and substantive than "The Equalizer" or "John Wick." But unfortunately, his attempt failed and the film, if anything, is disappointing.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

JLuis_001

Sep 7, 2017

An action movie made purely for the brightness of its star who is trying to give his career a new air in a genre that personally does not go for him.
Not a total waste, but nothing remarkable either.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rodrigo2803

May 14, 2015

Sean Penn character is literally not sympathetic enough to make you wanna root for him. Aside from a not so strong script, there's not much in the movie that can save it from disaster.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

metaguest

Oct 24, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Awful movie. Sean Penn as love interest to a lovely young lady made me cringe. He looked like an old fart on steroids, lots of them. I had to fast forward through love scenes, couldn't stomach them. Story was so ridiculous when he got spells from illness yet took out bad guys like there's no tomorrow. Snooze between dumpsters and good to go. Would have played slightly, and I emphasize slightly, more believable if they hadn't thrown in the brain damage. Ray Winstone and Idris Elba were good; both should have had a lot more screen time. Javier Bardem overacted when he was "drunk and was otherwise still quite bland. Story very predictable in a lot of parts, clues as to what was coming were really in your face. Yeesh, what an absolute waste of time.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

REVIEWERWILL

Mar 22, 2015

no guns in the movie sean pean takes his shrit off and 2nd worst of the year the the hole movie suck sean pean is not a good actor and also every actor in the movie sucks

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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