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The Gunman

THE GUNMAN directed by Pierre Morel, written by Pete Travis and Don MacPherson from the novel by Jean-Patrick Manchette, with Sean Penn, Jasmine Trinca, Javier Bardem and Mark Rylance. An Elevation Pictures release. 115 minutes. Opens Friday (March 20). For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: NNN

Where to watch: Netflix


Sean Penn horns in on Liam Neeson’s territory in The Gunman, an efficient if undistinguished revenge thriller about a former mercenary turned humanitarian worker forced to race through Africa and Europe when his past acts come back to haunt him.

Penn’s never been anyone’s idea of an action hero, but that makes him an interesting choice for the pumped-up, physically capable Jim Terrier, who had to abandon his lover (Jasmine Trinca) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after an assassination job. He plays Terrier with a mix of resourcefulness and desperation that puts a spin on every confrontation, and even sells the clumsy plot device of an old injury that returns to disable the hero at key moments.

Director Pierre Morel (Taken) gives Penn some versatile co-stars – Javier Bardem as a transparent frenemy, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance as old war buddies – and lets them have a little fun. Idris Elba is wasted in a tiny role, but you can’t blame the guy for wanting to share the screen with Penn.

Don’t miss our interview with Pierre Morel here.

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