Poseidon-3 Coburn makes a graceful exit from the cinema in this thoughtful contemplation on the issue of gun control. He plays a rural father and grandfather whose semi-estranged daughter (Madsen) is shot to death right before Christmas. Wracked with grief and guilt, he sets out on a journey to trace the gun that killed her, ending up with it's last owner. Meanwhile, his wife Bain copes in her own way and his teenage granddaughter Holden flirts with disaster out on her own. The story is told in a way that flashes back to Coburn's own history with guns as a youth and that conceals certain details of the events in order to startle the viewer near the end. Coburn, who is visibly struggling with the pain of arthritis, is solid throughout. He is able to avoid the type of tacky swan song that so many stars wind up in during their autumn years (though he did do quite a few pieces of garbage during the middle of his career like "Looker" and the TV mini-series "Valley of the Dolls", to name only two!) It's refreshing to see him paired with an actress so close to his own age as his wife when, so often, male stars have spouses or girlfriends anywhere from 10 to 30 years younger than them. Bain, who is done no favors by the lighting here, gives a strong performance as well and is believable as his character's wife. Madsen does a fine job as the somewhat troubled daughter. This was done before her attention-getting work in "Sideways" and the film might have garnered a bit more attention had it been released after that. Holden is good in her role, though it's a bit difficult to swallow her transformation in character and appearance. The film isn't particularly believable at all times and is contrived and even pat, but it musters up enough interest and irony (and avoids being too preachy on it's subject) to remain entertaining.

kelly i think this is one of the best films i've seen in ages, with one huge twist that makes you go "my gosh i didn't see that coming". all actors were fantastic and portrayed their troubled characters well. a very good job at casting. the director did a fantastic job. and i'm very pleased with the film i saw, i think maybe some of the film could have been better explained but i think we should leave it as it is. as a great unknown classic, not known by the world, enjoy this film if you see it, not many people know its out there. i'll leave it at that but do try and watch it is good

bcpmd I remember the first time I ever saw a movie with Mr. James Colburn, it was on a T.W.A Jet Airline from New York to Oakland after having been to the Expo 1967 in Montreal, Canada, like a world's fair probably a strange concept today. Movies where just being introduced in the jet air craft a Boeing 707 now non-existence plane and unforuately a non-existence airline.He played a James Bond type role. But over the 45 years I saw some of his movies and I noticed a genuine love and increased professional ability in his acting.Mr. Colburn was a professional actor and a master in his trade. He should be remembered for ages and I will be a fan for life. Brian Pedersen M.D.

zsenorsock I was really enjoying this film. It was nice to see James Colburn going out on a strong performance in a film that was well made, with interesting vignettes about the history of the gun. I thought he received good support from Virginia Madsen and Barbara Bain. Everything seemed to be going along quite well, and then came the big twist ending. I almost stopped the DVD of this as soon as I realized what direction this film was suddenly taking. But I had enjoyed it so much up to that point, I decided to gut it out, hoping I was wrong and that the filmmakers would NOT go in the direction they were heading. But alas, it was not to be. The ending alone was enough to lower my vote of this otherwise fine film from a 7 to a 5. Colburn was great in it however (but check out the size of this man's knuckles!!!) and worth seeing for any of his many fans.