The Gunrunner (1989)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Fresh and Exciting

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This Canadian production was completed in 1984, but held back from release. During the next few years, its star, Kevin Costner, became a superstar, but the movie still wasn't released. It took a few more years before the movie was finally released, being dumped straight to video. Watching the movie, it becomes clear pretty soon why no one was gung ho about releasing the movie. For a cheapie, the production values replicating 1920s Montreal are generally adequate, though a few scenes looks slightly skimpy. And the movie has the novelty of being about a communist hero. Though considering how brutal communist governments have been through history, it's kind of hard to root for this hero, especially since it's hard to get an idea of his various thoughts and feelings about many things. This may explain why Kevin Costner gives a very bland and colorless performance, having nothing to work with. The biggest problems about the movie, however, are that it's both incredibly slow and extremely boring. Most viewers will probably fall asleep before it reaches the end. Even fans of Costner (if there are any left at this point) would best leave this movie unwatched.

Okay, so this movie is not wonderful but it's very entertaining. Kevin Costner looks absolutely gorgeous in this film, and his acting is pretty strong and convincing. The leading lady is suitably older than him, and also experienced looking. She gives one the feeling of an early 20th century lady of the night turned business woman, even though she has an 80's perm. The costumes are authentic and the film's locations are quite sexy and set the mood well. The death of his brother is quite corny, and I wanted Robert to stay kidnapped because he was jerk. The dialogue is b grade however and the plot is average. Overall this movie is worth a look, and is good for a night in.

I picked this up on DVD for $4, because I knew I could trade it one-for-one at a used book store. It was well worth the investment.There are some problems with this movie. It's melodramatic for one. It has some cornball dialogue. It's just a little cheesy.The story has big romantic moments, but no big romantic leads. The woman could be Kevin Costner's mom, and he wasn't the leading man women knew him as a few years ago. Despite many sexy locations and moments, this film is asexual.In a way, The Gunrunner takes place in the naive, simple 1920s one might imagine after only having seen bad movie versions of the time. It's a really interesting world. I see this movie as a gangster-themed steampunk version of No Way Out (1987). I mean, what other movie hero helps start the Chinese Revolution? I was taken to a different place, and I didn't lose my suspension of disbelief along the way. Only afterwards do I admit that it wasn't so great. At the time, I was loving it.It reminds me a lot of The Boy in Blue (1986). It's always good to see rare movies like this, and it's definitely worth the price of a rental.

This movie is a melodrama about a young gunrunner in the 1920's. It is OK for Kevin Costner fans only!!the movie was delayed until Kevin Costner became a household name!!If you want a great movie with him watch"No Way Out","Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves" or one of his baseball games especially "Bull Durham"!!This movie will not be the remember Costner when he stops acting !!I will remember him from those titles above!!The only people who will take an interest in this movie will be his faithful fans!!!other than skip this slow action drama!!