Movie Review: Natalie Portman is "Jane Got A Gun" (2016)

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“Jane Got A Gun” is among a rash of contemporary westerns that have not seen the light of day save Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.” This was a troubled project changing directors during filming and running through Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper and Jude Law as leading man to Natalie Portman. Joel Edgerton took over the role after being cast as the bad guy eventually played by Ewan McGregor. The $25 million production was finished by Gavin O’Connor who directed “The Accountant.” Set in 1871 New Mexico, “Jane Got A Gun” is a standard western despite the Aerosmith type title. A shot up Bill Hammond (Noah Emmerich) rides home to a remote ranch and warns wife Jane (Portman) that Bishop’s boys are coming. An alarmed Jane tends to his wounds and rides over to old flame Dan Frost (Edgerton) for help which he refuses. In town, Jane loads up on guns, ammo and dynamite and it is learned Bill and Bishop (McGregor) are wanted men. A bad guy corners Jane and Dan saves her bacon. He agrees to be paid as hired gun. Questions abound. Why is Bishop after Jane and Bill. What happened between Jane and Dan. How does Bill fit into the picture. Answers are given in backstory flashbacks interspersed through the first two thirds of the movie. This is an annoying and awkward device disrupting pace. The movie would have better served with story related in linear fashion. Plot is rather simple and all builds to the traditional western shootout showdown. Acting is good especially an unrecognizable McGregor. A western is the last place you expect to see Portman. The real star is the excellent photography of the New Mexico landscape. If you enjoy westerns and want to see Portman in a different light, check out “Jane Got A Gun.”