This film has many flashbacks and nuances, and you do need to pay attention or may miss a segment of the plot.
James Coburn again delivers as Martin Tillman, a man who is a World War II veteran; we see many nostalgic flashbacks. Barbara Bain as his wife, and Virginia Madsen as their daughter. She also has a young daughter, Mia, well-portrayed by Alexandra Holden.
Coburn loses his daughter (Madsen) through a tragic accident on Christmas eve. As the film proceeds, we see him travel cross country tracing the history of the weapon, a handgun which the police let him have. He visits the factory where the guns are made, and an employee has a picture there of his own daughter who was murdered. He travels to Miami, Florida. A woman who owned the gun there saved herself from being murdered on I-95. In California he encounters a young girl who, while on a double date with friends, is suddenly a victim of violence.
There is an unexpected turn at the end of the story, which I will not divulge. Coburn spends a great deal of time soul searching; why did this happen?...Why me?. He visits the pastor, who has no answer. Coburn is also simmering with rage, and we feel for him as the story progresses.
He also tracks down Penny Tillman's daughter, Mia, and tries to help her; she is living a transient life in Las Vegas. Tillman as her grandfather expresses his concern, and wonders at the randomness of life.
What you will come away with from this film is many internal questions; (i.e. what would you do?). This is not simply a morality play or agenda against gun ownership. It is a human story, addressing the human factor, error, and emotions, and the sad fact that one cannot reverse time to change what they could or should have done to prevent a tragedy.
James Coburn again delivers as Martin Tillman, a man who is a World War II veteran; we see many nostalgic flashbacks. Barbara Bain as his wife, and Virginia Madsen as their daughter. She also has a young daughter, Mia, well-portrayed by Alexandra Holden.
Coburn loses his daughter (Madsen) through a tragic accident on Christmas eve. As the film proceeds, we see him travel cross country tracing the history of the weapon, a handgun which the police let him have. He visits the factory where the guns are made, and an employee has a picture there of his own daughter who was murdered. He travels to Miami, Florida. A woman who owned the gun there saved herself from being murdered on I-95. In California he encounters a young girl who, while on a double date with friends, is suddenly a victim of violence.
There is an unexpected turn at the end of the story, which I will not divulge. Coburn spends a great deal of time soul searching; why did this happen?...Why me?. He visits the pastor, who has no answer. Coburn is also simmering with rage, and we feel for him as the story progresses.
He also tracks down Penny Tillman's daughter, Mia, and tries to help her; she is living a transient life in Las Vegas. Tillman as her grandfather expresses his concern, and wonders at the randomness of life.
What you will come away with from this film is many internal questions; (i.e. what would you do?). This is not simply a morality play or agenda against gun ownership. It is a human story, addressing the human factor, error, and emotions, and the sad fact that one cannot reverse time to change what they could or should have done to prevent a tragedy.