Powerful

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Vincent Cassel is at the top of his game, scoring a half million dollars in a daring robbery and shoot out. Treat Williams and Paul Schulze play his squabbling sons. When the old man is shot by some unsavory characters looking for his stashed cash, Williams and Shulze each get partial information on the money's location. This of course smacks of Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach's quest for Confederate gold hidden in a cemetery, while being pursued by Lee VanCleef, in "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". There is some sharp humor in "Hand Gun", and the acting and character development is excellent. Highly recommended. - MERK

Jack McCallister is a professional criminal who manages a caper in which most of his men are gunned down during an encounter with the police after they have done the job. Jack manages to conceal the money away from all the people that wants a part of it. This includes his two sons, George, who like his father has been in jail for the crimes he has committed, and Michael, a small time con man, who is too shy to follow his old man, or his brother."Hand Gun", directed by Whitney Ransick, is a film that takes a lighter approach to what we see in the movie. Mr. Ransick, who also wrote the screen play, has done a good job with this story that is more of a comedy, than a heavy take a la Tarantino. There is enough blood to parallel those other films, but Mr. Ransick keeps that light touch throughout the picture.The main reason for watching this movie is the cast that was assembled. Treat Williams and Paul Schulze play George and Michael McCallister, two brothers that are as different as day and night. Could both have been sired by Jack McCallister? Well, in many ways, the answer is yes. They have a knack for engaging in crime, each in a different style. The excellent Seymour Cassel plays the father. The supporting cast is also a delight to watch. Michael Imperioli, Michael Rappaport, Frank Vincent, John Ventimiglia, Anna Leon, and the rest, give a lot to make this a fine movie, with an ironic twist, a great way to spend time watching it.For lovers of the genre, they will not be disappointed if they approach this movie without any expectations. Let Mr. Ransick work his way to you with these diverse low lives characters doing unexpected things.

I expected a good-guys versus mafia types, and kinda got it. After about 5 minutes, I thought the dialog was stupid, and the characters unbelievable. After another 5 minutes, I realized that it actually was a comedy, very subtle and understated.I would have given it a higher grade if I had known that sooner. Whose fault was that? They have to take some of the blame.

That's how Joe Bob Briggs put it when I first saw this film back in 1995 on The Movie Channel. In early 2002, it was on late night on TMC, and I got to check it out for the first time in years.Still a great crime movie with excellent dialogue and acting. For 'Soprano's' fans, you will definitely love seeing many of your favorite characters pop up in this earlier work, many of which are minor roles. Treat Williams, Paul Schulze, Frank Vincent, and several others give great performances. The action sequences, consisting mostly of close-up gun battles, are a little hard to believe, unless people in New York are lousy shots. But the storyline and comedy bits definitely make this a worthwhile film to watch, especially for fans of mob movies.