Gun Shy

Starring:Liam Neeson, Oliver Platt, JosÃ© ZÃºÃ±iga, Michael DeLorenzo, Andrew Lauer, Richard Schiff, Paul Ben-Victor, Gregg Daniel, Ben Weber, Sandra Bullock, Mary McCormack, Michael Mantell, Mitch Pileggi, Louis Giambalvo, Rick Peters, Dusty Kay, Jerry Stahl, Michael Weatherly, Hank Stratton, Frank Vincent
Director: Eric Blakeney
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Gun Shy had the misfortune to come along after several other "killer pursues therapy" movies/TV shows (Grosse Pointe Blank, Analyze This, The Sopranos); in this case, it's a DEA agent and not a Mafioso, but that wasn't enough to keep it from getting swept aside. Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Rob Roy) plays Charlie, a government undercover agent whose last mission got botched, resulting in his partner's death. But the DEA isn't willing to let him get out early; clinging to his fantasy of a seaside retirement home, Charlie agrees to one more mission, even though he's convinced that the New York City gangster he's investigating will kill him. On his flight to the city, he meets a psychiatrist who encourages him to join a group therapy session. Meanwhile, it turns out that the gangster Fulvio, played by busy character actor Oliver Platt (Funny Bones, Bulworth), is equally miserable with his career. Curiously, Neeson and Platt both seem initially miscast--Neeson exudes a solid imperturbability, and Platt comes off as too soft to be really threatening--but over the course of the movie, their performances become increasingly compelling, perhaps because they are cast against type. Their neuroses, which initially seem like weak gags, start feeling genuine and sad. Gun Shy is marketed as a comedy, but its strength is in the truth of its characters. Sandra Bullock (who also produced the film) has a small role as a gastroenterologist with whom Charlie falls in love. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Liam Neeson (STAR WARS, EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE) and Oliver Platt (BICENTENNIAL MAN) star with Sandra Bullock (HOPE FLOATS) in an outrageously offeat comedy about what happens when a busy undercover cop suddenly loses his legendary nerves of steel! The only way Charlie (Neeson), a respected D.E.A. agent traumatized by a hair-raising run-in with some ruthless gangsters, can do his job is with the embarrassing treatments of an attractive nurse (Bullock) and the questionable psychotherapy provided by a highly unstable support group! And since he's stuck in a deep-cover sting operation until he nabs a wisecracking, trigger-happy Mafia leader who scares him to death (Platt), Charlie can only hope to fake his tough-as-nails image long enough to make this one last bust ... and make it out alive! Loaded with huge stars and big laughs -- you can't miss with this high-caliber comedy hit!

Customer Reviews:

Under rated .......2007-01-08

I absolutely love how this film is really about stereotypes, and how everyone in it is the opposite of their stereotypes. An undercover DEA agent that has lost his nerve and really doesn't want to be an agent any longer. A nurse that is anti-medical eatablishment, and just want's to play in the dirt. A mob thug that just wants to grow some tomatos (that may be a little stereotypical.) And some Colombian drug dealers that really just want to run away together.

Surprisingly Wonderful. . .Terrific!.......2006-07-01

I have seen Gun Shy 3 times on TV within the last week. It is absolutely chilling, outrageously funny, compelling, and shocking. Platt steals the movie. He is realistically outrageous and his wife is the second scene stealer. They are both totally (it would seem) crazy, and the tuffie Fulvio is afraid of his wife. Hilarious and deadly. Loved the ending. I am having a hard time finding it to purchase. None of the major stores have it. So here I am. Hope I can get it. Oh, all of the actors do a superb job. The Director was a genius.

Marci

Slapstick Mixed with Psychology.......2006-02-28

GUN SHY is a peculiar movie, one that purports to have a significant storyline but one that splinters ideas all over the place, leaving the viewer wondering what all the fuss is about.

'Charlie' Mayeaux (Liam Neeson) is a bummed out DEA agent fresh from a bungled case yet given an important assignment to break a Columbian drug cartel represented by Fidel (José Zúñiga) and his boyfriend Estuvio (Michael DeLorenzo). Also caught up in this mélange is the Mafia represented, however reluctantly, by Fulvio Nestra (Oliver Platt), a nerdy but vicious bungler whose temper is uncontrollable, partly due to his insipid belittling wife Gloria (Mary McCormack) whose father demands Fulvio's crime life importance. Charlie is a mess, meets a psychologist who introduces him to group therapy (where Charlie idiotically relates all the DEA secrets openly) and to gastroenterology where nurse Judy (Sandra Bullock) administers a barium enema then other more herbal-sided treatments while she and Charlie become bonded. People are maimed (gunshot castration), killed, made to look foolish, all to the end of supposedly belly laughs on the part of the audience.

True, Neeson shows a flair for comedy and Platt manages to convey a breakthrough role for him, but the rest is a jumbled mess. Made in 2000 with the Twin Towers of New York frequently visible during talk against Arabs and the Middle East, it is easy to see why the timing of this 'yet another Mafia vs law' film contributed to its short theater run (how many have even heard of it?). But in the final analysis it probably failed on its own merits - sad for a film filled to the brim with very fine actors. Grady Harp, February 06

Dark, but funny........2005-09-14

Oliver Platt makes this movie. His character is one of my favorites ever. The story line is great. Finally, a movie that shows the main character as he might be in real life under such circumstances. Sandra Bullock adds the hope and fun in this film with her "go with the flow of life" attitude. Reminder: This is a dark comedy, so watcher beware.

Narco-sleepy. Something sleepy........2005-06-10

I was very surprised by this film. I had overhead so many negative reviews of this feature that I think it had seeped to deeply into my mind when I chose to pick it up. I had already thought that it was going to be a poor excuse of a film when I placed it in my DVD player, but to my surprise (literally), this was actually a well developed, superbly acted film. Now, it wasn't the greatest movie that I have ever seen, but as far as entertainment goes, this film did lift an eyebrow. The script was loose, but well thought out, the acting was well above your average independent feature, and the tone was light. I think that is what I liked most about this film (outside of the acting) was that it never went too deep into itself, but instead kept it light and seemingly fluffy. In an era of over-zealous directors, Eric Blakeney proved to me that he could gather great actors, place them in a decent story, and produce amazing results. I wish other directors would take his lead and push more towards this than just giving up and relying on the name of the actor to sell their film.

There are three elements that really caught my attention while watching this film, and I must begin with the acting. You had in this film some of Hollywood's most dramatic, comedic, and talented people doing their best work in this little film called Gun Shy. Liam Neeson represented his character so well, that I nearly forgot most of the time that he was Neeson from Schindler's List, but instead this neurotic agent with problems around every bend. The twitching of his hands, the ability to bring life to his words and his comedic timing was brilliant. He really was a shining light in this film. This rubbed off onto the others in this film causing greatness from everyone. Oliver Platt was hysterical playing off of every Italian stereotype that can be seen in such hits as The Sopranos and The Godfather, but he does it with so much originality and creativity that it feels and smells fresh. I found myself laughing at everything Platt did, and he played so well against Neeson that I am surprised that the two haven't made more films together. Then there was Sandra. While this wasn't the mightiest role for her, she was enjoyable to watch. She didn't overdo it, nor was she lacking. She was the only average character in the film, and I blame this in part to only having a few short scenes in the film (kinda underdeveloped). The rest of the cast was well above par. What was interesting about the characters and actors of Gun Shy is that I wanted to watch them. They, unlike some recent Hollywood blockbusters, brought life into the film and they had "fun" (a Hollywood curse word) with this production. You could tell, and it provided some enjoyable cinema.

The next element was the story. Director/writer Eric Blakeney did a great job of complementing the actors with a simple script. This may sound like an insult, but so many times we watch films that have this overdeveloped story that causes are actors to get lost, our audience to get lost, and ultimately our film to get lost. By keeping the story simple, Blakeney was able to bring the best from the actors. I do believe that the script complimented the actors and pushed them to explore new possibilities of characters. It was a story that we had seen time and time again, but again, like the acting, it seemed original and fresh because it was simple and complete. My only gripes about the story is that it could have developed Bullock's character a bit more and sharpened the ending a bit, but that is all. Honestly, I thought the film worked the way the script was written, no changes were needed, but healthy constructive feedback is always welcomed.

Finally, I would like to say that I loved the theme of this film. Perhaps it is where I am in my life that allowed it to hit me so hard, but for me it was sheer bliss. Here you have a story, which all the central characters hate, loathe, and dislike their lives. From Charlie's hatred and fear of getting killed by his job, to Fulvio's passion for a better life, to the Colombian's wanting to escape in love together, to even all of Charlie's friends in his group therapy that hate their lives as well, there is just this overwhelming sense of dislike for the world when this film begins. As we grow with our characters, they begin to see the brighter side of life and that we all need that moment of change to help us grow and develop ourselves. I thought this was a great theme to bring into a zany mob comedy, but it worked. So many times in Hollywood we see the happy family man who gets caught up in the mob mess, but never have we seen so many disillusioned people gathered in one film and still make it a comedy. It was very close to perfection.

Overall, I enjoyed this film. I will say it again, it wasn't the best I have ever seen, but it did provide two hours of entertainment and sometimes that is all you can ask of a film (though lately it is becoming harder and harder). The acting is what pulled me into the picture, and the depressing beginning theme kept me glued to the screen. I surprise myself sometimes because this was not a "crazy film". It was a generic story that allowed the actors and the director to be original and creative. You don't see that much anymore, and it was sheer bliss to finally witness it in the film Gun Shy.

Grade: **** out of *****

Average customer rating:

Intriguing but flawed suspense movie... a so-so DVD transfer

GunShy
Starring: Johan Leysen , Christoph Waltz , Lavinia Wilson , Axel Prahl , and Thorsten Merten
Director: Dmitriy Tsintsadze
Manufacturer: Tla
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00070EBQM
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Description

A major hit on the European film festival circuit, Ditto Tsintsadze's "poetic thriller" will keep you on the edge from the startling beginning to the jaw-dropping final shot. A young man sits alone on a bus. A beautiful young woman drops a note in his lap as she walks by. It says simply, "help me." But what help could she, a self-assured martial arts student, ever need? And how could he, a gentle pacifist who delivers meals to the elderly, ever help her? Yet as our hero follows after her, his bizarre journey begins. Does he become a rescuing knight falling in love? Or a psychotic killer descending into madness? And is there even a difference?

Customer Reviews:

Intriguing but flawed suspense movie... a so-so DVD transfer.......2005-04-26

Schussangst (Fear of Shooting) is a deliberately paced, suspenseful movie that unfortunately, will not be for all audiences. It is not a typical Hollywood thriller. In fact, to call it a thriller may be to do it a disservice by attracting the wrong crowd.

Lukas (Fabian Hinrichs) is a shy and lonely young man who because of his pacifist outlook, chooses to serve out his national service by delivering food to the elderly. One day on a tramride, a beautiful young woman (Lavinia Wilson) throws a letter into his lap. It says "Help me". Nothing more. Intrigued, he follows her off the tram, gets to know her and eventually starts dating her. She never explains the letter.

Over time, he gets infatuated with her, obsessed would be a better word. Secretly he trails her around the city. He finds her at a martial arts class practising Kendo. What would a stick-wielding martial arts expert need his help in?. Later he sneaks in after another Kendo session to find her humping away with an older man. When he questions her about it, she gives him a cryptic reply about how life is full of unfathomable pain. Only later does he find out that the man is her stepfather. Putting two and two together, he concludes that she isn't happy with the relationship she's having with her stepdad. So he hatches a hare-brained scheme to kill the stepfather, picturing himself as her valiant rescuer. He goes about buying a rifle and learns to shoot. The pacifist learns to become a killer - is he just a deluded romantic? or is he a psycho-stalker in the making?

One major drawback of the film but one arrived at by artistic choice, is the way it is shot. The film is disorientating because at many points, the camera looks at the world through Lukas' eyes. From his point of view, the world doesn't make sense and that unfortunately is what the audience also feels. Why does the girl choose him of all people? Did the girl even choose him? Why does she ignore him totally at the end? We are left in the dark because that is precisely how Lukas feels.

At the end, the movie leaves the viewer to fill in the blanks. Did the girl really set him up to kill her father? Or to kill herself? Or was it all just the overworked imaginings of his warped mind. An intriguing movie. But not to all tastes. It was the controversial winner of the Best Picture award at the 2003 San Sebastian International Film Festival. Controversial because many of the critics didn't like it.

The DVD transfer is in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Unfortunately it is letterboxed and is NON-anamorphic (not enhanced for widescreen TV). Audio is the original German 2.0 stereo. Optional english subtitles are provided. Picture quality is fair with no major concerns but nothing to boast about. Black levels are good and colors are natural. It could have been better considering that it was made in 2003 and the the DVD was released in 2005.

Average customer rating:

Gun Shy & Miami Rhapsody (2pc)
Starring: Liam Neeson , Oliver Platt , José Zúñiga , Michael DeLorenzo , and Andrew Lauer
Director: Eric Blakeney , and David Frankel
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000067DHA
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Description

Gun Shy - DVD- Liam Neeson (STAR WARS, EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE) and Oliver Platt (BICENTENNIAL MAN) star with Sandra Bullock (HOPE FLOATS) in an outrageously offeat comedy about what happens when a busy undercover cop suddenly loses his legendary nerves of steel! The only way Charlie (Neeson), a respected D.E.A. agent traumatized by a hair-raising run-in with some ruthless gangsters, can do his job is with the embarrassing treatments of an attractive nurse (Bullock) and the questionable psychotherapy provided by a highly unstable support group! And since he's stuck in a deep-cover sting operation until he nabs a wisecracking, trigger-happy Mafia leader who scares him to death (Platt), Charlie can only hope to fake his tough-as-nails image long enough to make this one last bust ... and make it out alive! Loaded with huge stars and big laughs -- you can't miss with this high-caliber comedy hit! Miami Rhapsody - English/French DVD- This hilariously sexy comedy has critics everywhere standing up and cheering! The irresistible Sarah Jessica Parker (HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, L.A. STORY) stars as a recently engaged young woman about to make a shockingly funny discovery: marriage and fidelity don't always go hand-in-hand, especially in her own family! From then on, it's nonstop laughs as, one by one, she unravels the wild details of their outrageously tangled affairs! Also featuring Antonio Banderas (INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE) and Mia Farrow (WIDOWS' PEAK) in a hot all-star cast -- you'll find MIAMI RHAPSODY sparkles with sunny, sexy comic entertainment!

Average customer rating:

Under rated
Surprisingly Wonderful. . .Terrific!
Slapstick Mixed with Psychology
Dark, but funny.
Narco-sleepy. Something sleepy.

Gun Shy [Region 2]
Starring: Liam Neeson , Oliver Platt , José Zúñiga , Michael DeLorenzo , and Andrew Lauer
Director: Eric Blakeney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000059RNQ

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Customer Reviews:

Under rated .......2007-01-08

Surprisingly Wonderful. . .Terrific!.......2006-07-01

Slapstick Mixed with Psychology.......2006-02-28

Dark, but funny........2005-09-14

Narco-sleepy. Something sleepy........2005-06-10

Average customer rating:

Gun Shy [Region 2]
Starring: Liam Neeson , Oliver Platt , José Zúñiga , Michael DeLorenzo , and Andrew Lauer
Director: Eric Blakeney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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