Overview: Since Anita Minteer (Drew Barrymore, 50 First Dates) was nine, every man she ever met has wanted only one thing. But when she becomes pen-pals with imprisoned convict Howard Hickock (James LeGros, Drugstore Cowboy), she gains self-confidence and sees a possible escape from the torment of her everyday life.

Howard's infatuation with guns drives Anita to them as well. But with this new found strength in her hands, she murders her sexually abusive guardian.

Now with Howard out on parole and the police on their back, there can be no turning back. In the style of BONNIE & CLYDE, GUNCRAZY tells the story of two young lovers on the run from the law.

Blu-ray Verdict: For a school project, promiscuous 15-year-old Drew Barrymore (as Anita Minteer) is instructed to find herself a pen pal.

So, she begins writing to 24-year-old prison inmate James LeGros (as Howard Hickok), who is serving time for manslaughter. Through their correspondence, Ms. Barrymore falls in love with Mr. LeGros, and decides to stop having sex with the guys at school, like Rodney Harvey (as Tom) and Jeremy Davies (as Bill).

Barrymore also becomes enamored with guns, and learns how to shoot, from absent mother's sexy boyfriend Joe Dallesandro (as Rooney). When Barrymore cuts him off, Mr. Dallesandro turns to rape.

Meanwhile, Barrymore is attempting to get LeGros out of jail, on parole, by convincing snake-charming preacher Billy Drago (as Hank Fulton) that the pistol-whipping prisoner has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

The parole board buys the ruse, and LeGros is good to go. Ironically, he is unable to satisfy Barrymore's sexual appetite. Still, the pair become close companions.

Problems arise when Barrymore reveals a deadly secret to LeGros, and the young couple's "Guncrazy" tendencies boil over. Writer Matthew Bright's doomed characters simmer alongside director Tamra Davis' banister end. Oh, and yes, the cast is a future cult dream!

Students of classic era film noir can't but help to be pulled in by the many deviance's at work, themes involving sexual abuse, promiscuity, impotence, alienation, prostitution and foolish love, the latter pitching a classic noir character into a vortex from which they in all probability know they can't return from.

It's not that Anita is a femme fatale, because she's so young and isn't written as a viper type, it's that her youthful ignorance, her teenage hormones tortured by a torrid upbringing, is enough for Howard to grasp onto as a semblance of normality.

They are both fools, but honest with it, it's the classic romanticized dream going sour. Again, a classic film noir trait.

Visually there is oh-so much to recommend here. The use of slatted shadows and balustrade is cunning and nods appreciatively to influences past, the inference obviously that Howard may be out of prison, but he's still behind bars.

Davis throws in a number of striking scenes, a camera shot looking out as a grave is dug, our lovers close and personal (sexy) as they shoot guns, and the finale has a sad grace that, again, noir lovers can appreciate.

In closing, Matthew Bright's screenplay also has black comedy elements, the script devious with Freudian smarts, while the cast turn in performances worthy of the form. Highly recommended, especially now that it has been re-released via MVD Rewind on Blu-ray and complete with a slew of wonderful NEW added extras! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

High Definition (1080p) presentation of the main feature in 1.78:1 aspect ratio
Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, English 2.0 LPCM Stereo, Spanish 2.0 Stereo
English & Spanish Subtitles
Audio Commentary from director Tamra Davis and star Drew Barrymore
NEW! "The Making of Guncrazy" (HD, 88:57)
NEW! "Portrait of a Director: Tamra Davis" (HD, 39:12)
5 Behind the Scenes Clips on the Set of 'Guncrazy' (SD)
"The Making of Guncrazy" Original 1992 featurette (SD, 19:39)
2 Theatrical Trailers (SD)
Reversible Sleeve
Collectible Mini-Poster

Amazon Purchase Link

Original Trailer