Son of a Gun

A24 | Release Date: January 23, 2015

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Ratings

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quincytheodoreMar 18, 2015

For a crime or heist movie, Son of a Gun benefits from polished editing, good direction and commendable performance by Ewan McCGregor. However, the plot is not that engaging, the simplistic development could also be found in TV series orFor a crime or heist movie, Son of a Gun benefits from polished editing, good direction and commendable performance by Ewan McCGregor. However, the plot is not that engaging, the simplistic development could also be found in TV series or action games. To its credit, the film delivers plenty of content, even though some of them are stereotypical prodigy-versus-mentor or damsel-in-distress premise.

JR (Brenton Thwaites) is a new inmate in a prison, where he meets Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor), a veteran conman who offers him protection. Soon JR find himself as Brendan's henchman, unsatisfied of only doing his bidding, the two eventually clash. Thwaites performs well, he's decent as the young lead, but his acting range is a bit limited on some scenes. McGregor is the star here, stealing any scenes with flair and occasionally blurted rage.

Their relationship is a strange one, JR subtly seeks a father or teacher figure which he finds in Brandon, although ultimately he realizes that their interest might not align. It works in short term, but the material doesn't provide much back and forth exchange, what twists it has in store are pretty foreseeable. JR also encounters Tasha (Alicia Vikander), a beautiful girl in despair. There's little surprise this romantic subplot, Tasha's back story and also the tiny bit where she might just be a honey trap are not fully developed.

Its plot isn't ambitious nor does it possess high level of intricacy on its heist. A lot of other similar movies, or even TV series, have delivered the same concept. The use of Australia as setting helps, but it boils down to the familiar prison break or robbery stints. Luckily, the pacing is sharp, it pushes forward with conviction and the action parts are decent as well.

Son of a Gun feels like a fast version of crime miniseries of television show, it may not be groundbreaking but it is still a decent watch for action fans.… Expand

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NRNSWApr 26, 2015

Son of a Gun is a good movie - the story could have been developed a little further, but the lead characters are engaging. It is a really strong debut by Julian Avery - it will be interesting to see what direction he takes next.

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spencieMar 23, 2018

Not a very good movie, yes the performances are great, but the movie wastes it's time trying to be a romance. I love romance, when it works. but Alicia Vikander, my favorite actress, and Brentan Thwaites have no chemistry. The romance is veryNot a very good movie, yes the performances are great, but the movie wastes it's time trying to be a romance. I love romance, when it works. but Alicia Vikander, my favorite actress, and Brentan Thwaites have no chemistry. The romance is very lazy. The characters are poorly developed and don't have good chemistry either. The action is pretty good, but overall I thought the movie was too bland and boring to be good.… Expand

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JLuis_001Sep 6, 2017

Son of Gun is the typical sunday movie, its biggest sin is to turn the movie into three by exchanging so many narrative and sequential movements, it's not a great movie, but it's not a totally discarded work at all, if you can see it, well.

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