Sean Penn channels Bond in The Gunman

When an ex special forces man Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) is told to stay away from loud noises and stress you know you’re in trouble.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Terrier (Penn) was happy earning a living as part of a team of contract killers until he’s tapped on the shoulder to kill the Congo Minister of Mines. Job done his boss Felix (Javier Bardem) orders him to disappear, straightaway, with no opportunity to contact his beautiful girlfriend Anne (Jasmine Trinca).

Thanks to Studio Canal

Thanks to Studio Canal

The movie skips through several years until we catch up with Terrier again, now digging wells for an NGO in Africa.

While there someone tries to kill him and so begins a quest to find out who’s after him.

It is just him they’re after or is the rest of the team also being targeted?

A James Bond-esk cat and mouse game moves from Africa to Barcelona and London as Terrier gets closer to the truth. There’s even a distinctive car thrown in for good measure.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Along the way a reunion with Anne doesn’t go as planned, but they’re soon reunited when she too needs protection.

Thanks to Studio Canal

At its heart The Gunman is a story about love wrapped up in a cocoon of high action, bulging biceps and lots of guns.

Penn and Bardem are well matched as they go head to head. Ray Whinstone is always good and Idris Elba puts in a brief appearance.

Thanks to Studio Canal

Thanks to Studio Canal

Afterwards I pondered:

The political commentary was a bit over my head and the Hollywood ending was a bit of a shame
Why hasn’t Penn been approached to play James Bond, or has he?
Penn is a walking advertisement for maturing sans Botox. It was great to watch a face that moved. He must have done a lot of push ups between takes. The last time I saw veins sticking out like that it was when I used to judge body building competitions and the competitors would stand in front of heaters prior to going on stage.

In cinemas now. Event cinema Hoyts cinema

A couple of Behind the Scenes photos