AMERICAN GUN

Year: 2005
USA: IFC Films
Cast: Linda Cardellini, Tony Goldwyn, Marcia Gay Harden, Donald Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Arlen Escarpeta, Chris Marquette, Nikki Reed, Lisa Long, Chris Warren Jr, David Heymann, Amanda Seyfried,Joseph Kell, Rex Linn, Kevin Phillips, Davenia McFadden, Schuyler Fisk, Michael J Shannon, Charles Duckworth, Todd Tesen, Melissa Leo, Gary Paul Clark, Terry Rhoads, Michael Milhoan, Jernard Burks, Lombardo Boyar, Dallas McKinney, Blake Hightower, Kiyano La'Vin, Rachel Bella, Andrew Caple-Shaw, James Morrison, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Dean Norris, Lee Garlington, Jonathan Ahdout, Ali Hillis, Sydney Walsh, Michael Dempsey, Audrey Wasilewski, Neil Mather, Deanna Carlin, Joy DeMichelle Moore, Dan Buran, Brian Avery, Rainbow Borden, Gabrielle Christian, Aasha Davis, Calvin Jung, Sean Allen Rector
Director: Aric Avelino
Country: USA
USA: 95 mins
USA Rated: R for violent content and language
USA Release Date: 22 March 2005 (Limited Release - New York)


Synopsis

AMERICAN GUN is a powerful series of interwoven storylines that bring to light how the proliferation of guns in America dramatically affect and shape the every day lives of its citizens. The film opens at the start of another day in a Virginia gun store, where owner Carl (Donald Sutherland), continues to sidestep controversy while running the shop he loves. His newest employee is his granddaughter Mary Ann (Linda Cardellini), a college student pressured to spend a semester in the family business. Despite her misgivings, curiosity overcomes her as she is slowly seduced by the weapons she sells.

Across the country in Oregon, Janet (Marcia Gay Harden) is suffering through a television interview marking the third anniversary of her older son's high school shooting rampage and suicide. As a single mother, she worries for her younger son David (Christopher Marquette) who is now the same age his brother was when he committed the terrible acts. While dealing with his own rage and grief, David quietly falls for Tally (Nikki Reed), the new girl in town. Meanwhile, Frank, a middle-aged deputy, watches the interview intently; still haunted by vicious accusations that he could have prevented the tragedy.

On Chicago's gritty west side, principal Carl (Forest Whitaker) struggles to keep his violent inner-city high school from self destructing. His wife Sara (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) desperately fears for the safety of their young son. When ace student Jay (Arlen Escarpeta) is caught hiding a handgun, both principal and student find themselves facing decisions they never wanted to make.