For Christmas I asked for some John Cusack films, no particular ones it was just a passing comment when asked if there were any DVDs I would like. He's one of my favourite actors for a few basic reasons - he can actually act, (always helps in my opinion), he comes over as smart and thoughtful and yes, he's tall, dark and good looking, (unfortunately I'm as superficial as the next gal).
One of the films I received was, 'Runaway Jury', I harboured a guess that I would enjoy it, (as there isn't a John Cusack film I've seen that I dislike), and settled down to watch it. I soon found myself getting involved with the centre topic of the film, the right of every American citizen to carry a gun', or words to that effect. I am only minimally familiar with the American Constitution so forgive me if I'm not exact in my references. The main characters, (played by John Cusack and Rachel Weisz, initially, appear to be criminals, manipulating the jury in a case where a innocent man was gunned down by an embittered ex-employee of the firm they both worked for, for millions of dollars. As the film progresses it becomes clear that the motive behind the characters actions are more sympathetic. Infact, it turns out that when they were at high school a fellow student went on a gun rampage killing other students including the sister of the Weisz character.
I won't go to deep into the film but money isn't the only motivation of the main characters, they have other, very personal issues to finalise. It's a moving story with, unfortunately, grounding in reality. People are gunned down by individuals who have, 'gone off the rails', shall we say? It does, without a doubt, make a sensible person comptemplate the consequences of a culture that allows its citizens to own guns. The God given, (?!?!), democratic right for an American to own and carry a gun.
I know that by the end of the film I and not for the first time, found myself questioning this right. Off course, the real problem is not guns, it never has been - it is the human species. Until a gun is in the hands of a human it is no more harmful then a packet of cookies.
On both sides of the 'pond', law enforcement officers and members of the military have to go through thorough training to be permitted to carry a gun. I understand that, before being given a gun license, American citizens have to undertake some training? I also understand that it is, also, possible for an American citizen, (not just Americans I dare say), to buy a gun in a less then legal way.
Yes, off course, every individual should have the right and means to protect themselves, their loved ones and property, (Americans certainly don't have to worry about the English Monarchy anymore), but is it right they they use a gun to do so? The price that is paid is often an extremely painful one a pain that America has suffered on too numerous occasions. From distressed students to embittered ex-employees and torturous people whose only answer is to pull that trigger the price is, indeed a VERY painful one.
We should stop worrying about American gun culture; we should stop worrying about guns. What we should be worrying about is US. We must take a long hard look at ourselves and decide if the answers we tell ourselves and the means we take to implement them are only leaving us so emotionally scared, so physically harmed that they is no return.
I don't know if I've made any sense, it can be hard to make sense of something that is so senseless like the death of a person in such a way as was at the heart of this films story. All I know is that it made me think and question things. It's odd how a simple request for a John Cusack film can lead to such deep and painful thinking. They really aren't enough films that make us think.