Jane Got a Gun Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Natalie Portman asks her ex-boyfriend for help because her current husband made some enemies, and everyone has guns and sad backstories.

🍿 Jane Got a Gun: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Crisis

In 1871 New Mexico, Jane Hammond’s husband, Bill, stumbles home riddled with bullets, warning her that the Bishop Boys, a ruthless outlaw gang led by John Bishop, are coming for them. Knowing Bill is helpless, Jane realizes she must protect herself and her daughter.

Seeking Help From the Past

Desperate, Jane seeks help from Dan Frost, her former fiancé whom she believed to be dead after the Civil War. Dan, still harboring feelings for Jane, initially refuses but eventually agrees to help, despite the complicated history between them and Bill. They begin to fortify the homestead, preparing for the inevitable attack.

Flashbacks Unveiled

Throughout the film, flashbacks reveal Jane and Dan’s past relationship, the devastation of the Civil War, and Jane’s subsequent hardships. We learn she believed Dan had died, leading her to join a group heading west where she was captured and forced into prostitution. Bill rescued her, leading to their marriage and a life shadowed by Bill’s past.

The Bishop Boys Arrive

The Bishop Boys arrive, and a tense shootout ensues. Jane and Dan utilize their prepared defenses, including kerosene-filled Mason jars, to fend off the attackers. As the battle rages, secrets and old wounds resurface, testing the fragile alliance between Jane and Dan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman): A determined woman who seeks help from her former fiancé to protect her family from a vengeful outlaw gang.
• Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton): Jane’s former fiancé, a hardened gunslinger haunted by their shared past, who agrees to help her defend her home.
• John Bishop (Ewan McGregor): The ruthless leader of the Bishop Boys, an outlaw gang seeking revenge on Jane’s husband.
• Bill Hammond (Noah Emmerich): Jane’s outlaw husband who seeks refuge after being shot by his former gang.
• Fitchum (Rodrigo Santoro): A violent member of the Bishop Boys who is hunting down Jane and her husband.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dan Frost: “Only point of a battle Jane, is to end it in your favor.” – Dan explains his strategic approach to fighting in order to defend Jane’s home.
• Jane Hammond: “I can do this.” – Jane says this when deciding that she needs to learn how to defend her family and her home.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,513,793
• Worldwide Gross: $3,067,531

💥 Jane Got a Gun Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Jane Got a Gun’ expecting some intense action, and honestly, it was a bit slow. Natalie Portman did a great job, but the whole movie felt like it was building up to something that never really exploded. The flashbacks were cool, but sometimes confusing. I did like the ending shootout, though! I was really hoping they’d both make it out okay. Overall, it’s a decent Western, but nothing groundbreaking. I’d recommend it if you like a slow burn with strong female leads.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Westerns with a strong female lead”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate Natalie Portman and Joel Edgerton’s acting”
  • “Those that enjoy slow-burn westerns”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “Some disturbing content”
  • “Mentions of sexual assault”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “Despite a talented cast, ‘Jane Got a Gun’ struggles with pacing and lacks a unique perspective on the Western genre. Natalie Portman delivers a solid performance, but the film’s convoluted backstory and uninspired action sequences ultimately hold it back from being truly memorable. Worth a watch for Western enthusiasts, but don’t expect a classic.
• Slash Film: “Plagued by production issues, ‘Jane Got a Gun’ is a serviceable but unremarkable Western. While Portman and Edgerton share good chemistry, the film’s flashbacks feel unnecessary, and the overall story doesn’t bring anything new to the table. McGregor’s villain is underutilized, and the film lacks the emotional depth to make it truly compelling. A decent time-passer, but easily forgettable.

Audience Reactions

Natalie Portman shines as a determined woman fighting for her family’s survival.: Most viewers appreciated Natalie Portman’s performance and the movie’s strong female lead.

The film’s slow pace and confusing flashbacks detracted from the overall experience.: Many viewers found the film’s pacing too slow and the flashbacks poorly executed.

Overall Consensus: A decent but flawed Western with a strong performance from Natalie Portman, hampered by a slow pace and confusing narrative structure.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film suffered numerous production problems, including director Lynne Ramsay leaving the project just before filming was set to begin.”
• “Several actors, including Michael Fassbender, Jude Law, and Bradley Cooper, were attached to the film at various points but ultimately did not participate.”
• “Joel Edgerton not only starred in the film but also co-wrote the screenplay.”
• “The film was shot on location in Santa Fe, New Mexico.”

🖥️ How to Watch Jane Got a Gun?

As of October 2024, “Jane Got a Gun” is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings as availability may vary. Subscription services might also occasionally offer it.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Jane Got a Gun, you might like these similar films:

• Meek’s Cutoff (2010): Shares a similar slow-burn Western narrative focusing on the struggles and resilience of women in a harsh environment.
• True Grit (2010): Features a strong female lead in a Western setting, seeking justice and showing determination in a male-dominated world.
• The Quick and the Dead (1995): Another female-led western, with Sharon Stone portraying a gunfighter seeking revenge.
• Open Range (2003): A classic western with a focus on themes of redemption and standing up against injustice.

🛒 Jane Got a Gun Related Products

• The Western Collection: 50 Movie Pack: Includes a wide range of classic and modern Western films, perfect for fans of the genre. Get hours of entertainment with this digital collection of action-packed stories and iconic characters.
• Western Cowboy Action Figure Set: A set of detailed action figures featuring cowboys, outlaws, and horses. Great for recreating scenes from Western movies or creating your own adventures in the Wild West.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4): An epic open-world adventure set in the American West, featuring a gripping story, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay. Experience the life of an outlaw in a vast and dangerous world.
• Vintage Western Movie Poster Set: A set of high-quality posters featuring classic Western movie artwork. Add a touch of vintage charm to your home decor and celebrate the iconic films of the genre.

🎧 Soundtrack

Jane Got a Gun features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “When You and I Were Young, Maggie” – performed by Dave Bourne
• “Perdition” – performed by Lisa Gerrard & Marcello De Francisci

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Jane Got A Gun reviewed by Mark Kermode

Ever wondered what the critics thought of ‘Jane Got A Gun’? Mark Kermode, a pretty well-known film critic, gives his take in this video. I always find his reviews insightful, and this one is no exception – check it out!

✨ Rate