I first saw Guncrazy a mere few days ago, not when it was originally aired on television. My first impression, just by looking at the cover of the DVD, was of your basic coming-of-age-movie, with the nice romantic story and twist of the lovers being gun-obsessed. I actually got more than I expected. Drew Barrymore breathed incredible life into the character of a teenager sexually abused by her guardian, and hated and bullied by her classmates. The disillusioned teen is under the impression that men are after one thing and one thing only, and couldn't possibly want her for anything else, aptly shown by a sequence of her handing herself over on a plate to two guys. For a project in her geography class, Barrymore's character Anita comes into contact with a convict by the name of Howard Hickock, and the two of them become intimate pen pals. On Howard being released from prison on parole, Anita gets him a job working with a local (slightly crazy) preacher, and he seems to be getting his life back on track. Anita and Howard fall more and more in love, and decide to marry. Obviously, this all goes horribly wrong the moment Anita confesses her big secret to Howard - she has killed her abusive guardian, and is hiding the body behind her trailer. This starts off a chain reaction of murders by Howard and Anita, leading them on the run across the country, in search of Anita's ever-absent mother. The final sequence was the most heartbreaking and beautiful in the whole movie. Anita and Howard break into the home of a woman they came across on their travels, who they know will be away, for safe shelter during the night. Inside, they watch family slide shows, wear expensive jewellery and clothes, and live like royalty - or, as Howard said, like "Nice people". The night seems perfect, and the couple seem at their happiest. It all turns horrible, with police catching up with the outlaws at the last minute. A slow-motion shoot-out between the cops and the lovers ends in tragedy, and will have tears welling up in your eyes. What made this movie great? The director doesn't start much action until about halfway into the movie, but the first half is just as enjoyable, as you watch the lover's relationship unfold and blossom. The second half sees their relationship mature, and it also sees Anita grow from naive teenager to young woman, and Howard grow more comfortable in their relationship. A coming-of-age movie indeed, and yet very, very different from what you will expect. An emotional journey, that spans lives and loves, and will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
Review of Guncrazy
