IR Film Review: DIE IN A GUNFIGHT [Lionsgate]
The progression of lives of lost lovers depends on who is playing them. "Die In A Gunfight" knows its play but is defined by the perception and the chemistry of those cast. The script itself had been through development and host of actors in different roles, some of which would have been fantastic. The group that ended up making it is interesting enough but they don't bring the right fire. The hybrid Romeo & Juliet approach bathed in lurid colors and animated lead ins (to save money in a way) give a slick feel but it never feels like there are any stakes, except for one person (Travis Fimmel in an uneven but memorable performance) and that is just a matter of consequence. Even the surrounding performers, but especially Justin Chatwin, don't come off as menacing but instead more cartoonish. The parental approach, which is meant to highlight the necessity of love for the two kids in love, just seems one note.
Alexandrea Daddario as Mary is effective (Kaya Scoladario was attached in an earlier package of the film) but one could have seen Samara Weaving as well. With a film like this, it depends how the scenery is chewed since there is a tongue-in-cheek quality (which again only Fimmel fills and to a point in one scene with him: Emmanuelle Chirqui who plays his better half Barbie). Diego Boneta as the supposed bad boy Ben Gibbons simply comes off goonish and a brat. Boneta has the ability to balance between that and tenderness but his approach from teddy bear to brimming with rage does not come off as that menacing. This all might be the issue of the directing as well but it is hard to tell. The only other person, like Fimmel, who seems to get it is Gibbon's friend/confidante that he met in Mexico (although there is no reference to his backstory other than a simple animation). This character is Mukul plays by Wade-Allain Marcus whose major character trait is a classic Mustang...but the does his best. "Die In A Gunfight" wants to be a fable bringing an essence of "Heathers" and Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo & Juliet" to its identity but never quite makes the grade. C
By Tim Wassberg
