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critics consensus

Despite its intriguing premise, this earnest anti-gun polemic is too melodramatic to resonate. Read critic reviews

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American Gun Photos

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Movie Info

Guns affect the lives of diverse people across the country. In Chicago, a high-school principal (Forest Whitaker) deals with the proliferation of guns on campus. In Oregon, a depressed woman (Marcia Gay Harden) remains a pariah years after her son opened fire on fellow students. And in Virginia, the owner (Donald Sutherland) of a gun store finds difficulty connecting with his granddaughter.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Violent Content)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Aric Avelino
  • Producer:
    Ted Kroeber
  • Writer:
    Aric Avelino, Steven Bagatourian
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $24.0K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    IFC Productions, Spirit Dance Entertainment, Participant Prods.

Cast & Crew

Donald Sutherland
Carl
Forest Whitaker
Carter
Marcia Gay Harden
Janet
Linda Cardellini
Mary-Anne
Tony Goldwyn
Frank
Chris Marquette
David
Nikki Reed
Tally
Arlen Escarpeta
Jay
Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
Sarah
Amanda Seyfried
Mouse
Melissa Leo
Louise
Aric Avelino
Director
Aric Avelino
Writer
Steven Bagatourian
Writer
Ted Kroeber
Producer
Jeff Skoll
Executive Producer
Chris Adams
Executive Producer
Forest Whitaker
Executive Producer
Jonathan Sehring
Executive Producer
Caroline Kaplan
Executive Producer
Holly Becker
Executive Producer
Arlene Gibbs
Co-Producer
Peter Golub
Original Music
Nancy Schreiber
Cinematographer
Richard Nord
Film Editor
Devorah Herbert
Production Design
Traci Spadorcia
Set Decoration
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for American Gun

RTIndie: "Little Miss Sunshine," "Half Nelson" Lead Indie Spirit Award Noms
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Critic Reviews for American Gun

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (19)

View All Critic Reviews (31)

Audience Reviews for American Gun

  • Jun 12, 2007
    [font=Century Gothic]"American Gun" consists of three separate storylines:[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]1) In Ellisburgh, Oregon, the third anniversary of a high school massacre is fast approaching. The mother of one of the shooters, Janet Huttenson(Marcia Gay Harden), is stuggling to get by. Her younger son, David(Chris Marquette), is now the age of his older brother when he died.(But I don't understand why she never moved away to give her younger son a fresh start. Frankly, nobody can handle that much pain and torment.) [/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]2) On the south side of Chicago, a high school principal(Forest Whitaker, again proving that he is one of the best actors around) works everyday to make his school a safe place to learn.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]3) In Charlottesville, Va, Mary Ann(Linda Cardellini) is attending the University of Virginia . She is uneasy about working in the gun store that her grandfather(Donald Sutherland) owns.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"American Gun" has an interesting set-up that promises a thorough examination of gun violence in America but the movie goes nowhere quickly and shamefully ducks out of the way of any politcs. Instead, it takes an ineffectual approach to the material that reeks of touchy-feely sentimentalism. Yes, families need to communicate better and we can all use a group hug from time to time but none of that does anything to address the urgent problem of the ready availability of guns in this country.[/font]
    Walter M Super Reviewer
  • Nov 30, 2006
    Not too trite, but not very original or effective, either.
    William G Super Reviewer
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