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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4.5	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

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

RealMuthaF

Jul 10, 2015

In theory, everything was perfect. An action movie directed by Pierre Morel (the brilliant Taken 1 and the awesome From Paris with Love) and starring Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elba.
In practice, though, this flick is riddled with problems. The plot is cliche (standard "the agencyIn theory, everything was perfect. An action movie directed by Pierre Morel (the brilliant Taken 1 and the awesome From Paris with Love) and starring Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elba.
In practice, though, this flick is riddled with problems. The plot is cliche (standard "the agency ties up loose ends and eliminates the agents"), the dialogues are oversized and boring, the love line is too forced (even though Jasmine Trinca is gorgeous) and what is beyond me, the action scenes aren't nearly as gripping and tense as in Morel's previous works. The lead actor Sean Penn presents yet another annoyance: he did work out a lot and got quite ripped for this role and, apparently, he is very pleased with himself, as we get to see his naked torso or at least, his flexed biceps approximately every 5 minutes, when he surfs/takes a shower/changes clothes/has sex/etc. This movie's yet another sin is that it wastes all the supporting talent in favour of Sean Penn's body - Bardem's role just doesn't leave him space to act the way he can and Elba's screentime is just criminally short.
To sum up, it is watchable, but Morel has dropped the bar significantly, and that's rather disappointing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ScrawnyPunk

Mar 23, 2015

Remember that time Matthew Fox was in that Roshamon rip-off set in Spain? Or that time that they remade The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 for some reason? No? That's a shame, because either is more memorable than this late-career paycheck for Sean Penn. In a loving ode to both Safe House andRemember that time Matthew Fox was in that Roshamon rip-off set in Spain? Or that time that they remade The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 for some reason? No? That's a shame, because either is more memorable than this late-career paycheck for Sean Penn. In a loving ode to both Safe House and the Constant Gardner (that's what they did, right?...intentionally combined the most boring parts of these movies to cinematic test of fortitude for the casual observer), Sean Penn gallops around the world kicking all sorts of bad-guy-butt like only a 54-year-old can do these days. Somebody done him wrong...and they're about to get theirs once he figures it out.

The positives - the actors are top-notch (and committed to their roles), the scenery is quite lovely, and the film is not (as I suspected about half-way through) 4 hours long. The negatives - boring, derivative, falsely preachy, and saddled with the worst dialog I have seen since Attack of the Clones.

On the bright side, Sean Penn is extra bulked up. Which made me think...if he can look like that at his age, then I definitely can. I'm hitting the gym tonight and my wife will thank me for it in a year or so. So thanks for that, Mr. Penn. Sorry you had to melt your guns for your new lady, since it looks like you must have really missed them after making this movie.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

MaxPayneIsGod

Aug 30, 2018

Almost lost for words but not quite. I heard this movie was trash and thought I'd like to see for myself.
The Gunman gets literally EVERYTHING wrong.
A garbage story with a try-hard spin wanting to be meaningful and relevant but fell short on both fronts. Penn, ever the Social JusticeAlmost lost for words but not quite. I heard this movie was trash and thought I'd like to see for myself.
The Gunman gets literally EVERYTHING wrong.
A garbage story with a try-hard spin wanting to be meaningful and relevant but fell short on both fronts.
Penn, ever the Social Justice Warrior, playing against his type as an action hero is just not believable in the role of an assassin. Its a role which have been just as easily portrayed by Dolph Lundgren or even Stephen Segal (circa 1993) or even a straight to DVD Statham vehicle. Bardem is suitably creepy, but brings nothing new or unique to the role, he's just doing Skyfall crossed with The Counselor.
Elba, will be grateful his immense talent was not besmirched by more screentime in this horrible film.
Overall a completely flawed movie which is utterly forgettable and really shouldn't exist.
2 out of 10 for Bardem's sleezyness, Elba's luck for having a small role, and Penn for getting as shredded as he was for his age.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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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