The Gunman

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Violence    Sex    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens March 20, 2015

Runs 115 minutes

The Congo 2006. Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) works for an unknown client providing security for their mining and other interests. This also includes assassinations. Soon Jim is assigned to the team tasked with taking out a government official. But, this mission has no upside. The country falls into turmoil and he must flee leaving everything behind, including the woman he loves, in order to protect himself. Years later he is back in the Congo working for an NGO and trying to assuage his guilt over what happened in the past. But the past comes back to haunt him and he becomes the target. Now Jim must find the old members of his team to see if he can determine who is out to get him and how it relates to the death of the government official years ago.

I liked this movie ok. I thought the plot was interesting and it kept my attention. Sean Penn does a good job and I liked Javier Bardem and Mark Rylance in their roles. The movie does try to make Sean Penn into another Liam Neeson. Sean is much more brooding and definitely buff. The Husband thinks he was taking steroids. He does look very fit.... Anyway, there are some stupid moments, like when Sean goes surfing for no reason except to show off his abs. And, the scene at the bullfight is a little ridiculous. But, overall, It kept me watching and wasn't a bad diversion for a rainy Friday night. If you like Sean Penn (not usually my favorite) and you like action movies (there are a few deaths and lots of blood) then this might be for you.

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