DCSIMG
 
 

American Gun (2005)

American Gun (2005)
Member Rating:  
Three stories of how America's obsession with firearms impacts its citizens are explored in this independent drama. Carl Wilk (Donald Sutherland) runs a gun shop in Virginia that has been owned and operated by his family for generations. Carl sees the shop as his family's legacy without paying much mind to what happens with the weapons he sells. When his granddaughter Mary Ann (Linda Cardellini) needs money for college, Carl gives her a job in the store, and while she's hesitant at first, she becomes fascinated with the merchandise as time passes. On the West Side of Chicago, Carl Carter (Forest Whitaker) is the principal of a high school where violence has become a sad fact of life. As Carl and his wife, Sara (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon), fear for their young son as they worry he could either fall prey to the violence of their community or embrace it himself, Carl receives a severe emotional blow when Jay (Arlen Escarpeta), one of his most promising students, is discovered carrying a pistol. And in Oregon, Janet (Marcia Gay Harden) is a single mother still troubled by the death of her teenaged son three years before, who took his own life after killing a handful of his classmates in a violent incident at a high school. As Janet deals with sharp words from the community, many of whom believe she should be held responsible for her late son's actions, she is unsure how to handle her surviving son, David (Christopher Marquette), who is now of high-school age. American Gun was the first feature film for writer and director Aric Avelino. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Donald SutherlandForest Whitaker, (more)
Director(s):
Aric Avelino
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of American Gun

Three stories of how America's obsession with firearms impacts its citizens are explored in this independent drama. Carl Wilk (Donald Sutherland) runs a gun shop in Virginia that has been owned and operated by his family for generations. Carl sees the shop as his family's legacy without paying much mind to what happens with the weapons he sells. When his granddaughter Mary Ann (Linda Cardellini) needs money for college, Carl gives her a job in the store, and while she's hesitant at first, she becomes fascinated with the merchandise as time passes. On the West Side of Chicago, Carl Carter (Forest Whitaker) is the principal of a high school where violence has become a sad fact of life. As Carl and his wife, Sara (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon), fear for their young son as they worry he could either fall prey to the violence of their community or embrace it himself, Carl receives a severe emotional blow when Jay (Arlen Escarpeta), one of his most promising students, is discovered carrying a pistol. And in Oregon, Janet (Marcia Gay Harden) is a single mother still troubled by the death of her teenaged son three years before, who took his own life after killing a handful of his classmates in a violent incident at a high school. As Janet deals with sharp words from the community, many of whom believe she should be held responsible for her late son's actions, she is unsure how to handle her surviving son, David (Christopher Marquette), who is now of high-school age. American Gun was the first feature film for writer and director Aric Avelino. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
95 mins

Complete Cast of American Gun


Director(s):
Aric Avelino
Writer(s):
Steven BagatourianAric Avelino
Producer(s):
Ted Kroeber
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Violence, Profanity)
Categories:
Independent Films
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of American Gun?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
Buy Previously Viewed   $2.39
(disc only) 

 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
     
    Phyllis F.

    I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen! Marsha Gay Harden was awesome, I can see why she won an Independent Film Spirit Award for her performance. I was disappointed with Forrest Whitaker though, he is usually so much better. They could have spent more time exploring a couple of the characters (Tony Goldwyn for example) and left out a couple of others, but I would recommend this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Susan J.

    We thought this movie was very interesting and full of thought. It showed how guns effects families, schools, jobs etc. The ending was nothing exciting but this movie for informative and not really for intertainment.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Diogenes D.

    I don't know how much exploring this movie does. It gives you something to think about, but it never delves deep into the topic. There is so much potential with perhaps the most interesting premise for a character; the mother of school shooter. But the writing is unimpressive and the performance is uninspired. Characters react in the most cruelest unrealistic way just to drive home the point the movie tries desperately to make. The ending is quite possible the biggest cop out I've ever seen in a movie. What a waste of really good premise. At least it gives you something to think about.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 12 Reviews