Jane got a gunThe performances by the leads in this movie allow it stand a little taller than your run of the mill western. Never the less this picture is just that, run of the mill, ordinary, nothing to write home about. The story of Jane (Natalie Portman) who asks for the help of her former lover to protect her shot up husband from some nasty men. It's a simple premise but not that well delivered. Ewan McGregor plays a convincing villain with what little screen time he has. As does a rather undernourished Boyd Holbrook. Joel Eggerton proves once again he's every bit the leading man but no amount of on screen talent can raise this movie above the norm. The whole picture seems rushed and as if many a scene was most likely left on the cutting room floor. This film runs lean at 1hr 38mins and you get the sense that there's been some meddling here and there. McGregor's underdeveloped character warrants this as does the flash back scenes which are merely inserted to help at least give the audience an inkling of what's gone on. Jane got a gun isn't a bad Western but in today's world where they are few and far between it hasn't much competition to compare it against.

(Originally reviewed: 07/02/2017) I remember a time when westerns were cherished upon, with such classics like the fistful of dollars trilogy, nowadays what we get is swill like Jane Got a Gun that does a lot more than bring nothing new to the genre. This is a terrible film, the plot is a muddle and largely incoherent, what it looks like are random scenes glued together for the sake of getting a paycheck, because Gavin O'Connor's direction is sloppy (he even fails with the final shootout, deciding to direct it in the dead of night), the acting is phoned in and the dialogue is god-awful.The third act is so bad I howled out loud, as everything begins to surface, you'll be saying so nothing in the first two acts mattered; therefore its incoherence eventually becomes an insult to human intelligence in which it also consistently shows flashbacks with barely any detail. Natalie Portman ranges from dull too overkill with her horrendously over-staged crying; this involved her been found in a whorehouse by her husband, yes because you didn't choose to be a whore now did you?) which is just plain annoying, Ewan McGregor plays the bad guy, and he was really forgettable, all he did was look smug, perhaps that had something to do with the commission he was getting for showing his face in this dud, and then there's Joel Edgerton who is also a decent actor but yet again sleepwalks through with an indecipherable tone that just sounds like a grunt, rather than actual dialogue. Noel Emmerich lies in a bed for most of the film and his acting is more convincing than anybody else on screen. Speaking of dialogue, here's an example "keep that mouth shut boy, or I'll cut that tongue out of your head" or something along them lines was one of many cringe-worthy lines in this train-wreck of a western. Jane barely shoots anyone either and when she does it's towards the end, this is a plot less, trashy clunker with mostly dull acting, horrendous writing and more unintentionally funny moments that you'll ever see within half an hour of a western.

It's a fine movie. One of the best I've seen in a while. Natalie Portman's performance is impeccable. She's not only one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, she's also the best actress. Ewen McGregor plays a subtly sleazy bad guy that almost makes my skin crawl, if only because of his confidence and surety that he will never face justice. All the other actors carry their parts well. The story is simple, but reads true. Nice cinematography, and dialogue. There's really not much to criticize. I guess most people just over-think things too much these days, rather than just relaxing and enjoying a nicely done film.

After Jane's husband Ham returned wounded and told her that men are coming for him she goes to seek for help but it turned out in most unexpected way. Firstly dialogues are very good and you feel some connection between characters and their emotions also movie is beautifully shot. Performances were also amazing specially by Joel and Natalie they did a wonderful job in portraying their love for each other but also a lot of grief and pain. Now plot as it self isn't something that you would expect to happen. It started very intense and and with a lot of build up to story and very early a first violent scene. Then it stopped and kept building this emotional story between Jane and Dan with some involvement of helpless Bill. Flashbacks were constant on their story and how everything led to this point and pace of movie just fell apart. It was boring, slow and it turned into a romance that our main characters have between them. End is coming and it was a very beautiful try to get us back in mood of western but there was too much emotions and didn't quite fit anymore. There was a one scene where they shoot at trap that they planted and that was probably best scene in the whole movie. Ending was very violent and filled with action but wasn't right. Finally they all got safe and went on their path that was supposed to happen many years about and it was a perfect ending for a love story. 2.5/4