'Sons of a Gun' an unorthodox look at mental illness

Sons of a Gun is a charmingly awkward film in almost every sense.

The documentary feature follows three mentally ill men and their caretaker Larry, a former hostage negotiator with a background dealing with the mentally ill. Larry once had a business where he cared for mentally ill people, which he eventually had to close. But in doing so he also gained something: three loyal followers who, not having anywhere else to go, depended on him even after his business shuttered. They became a family.

The movie picks up as the four grown men, all in their 40’s and 50’s, struggle to keep their homestead, a dank two-bed motel room. What follows is a portrait of the seeming underbelly of social interaction, the people who even the best of us would choose to ignore if we passed on the street. They’re nice men, but troubled. Best not to be bothered, most would think.

Each man has his story, but the film only touches on the paths that led them all to the unusual set up, likely for length purposes. But one of the best parts of the movie is that the men aren’t oblivious to the perceptions. There’s “no funny stuff,” the men say.

The characters, the plot, the music and even the seemingly lackadaisical story pacing keep the viewer wondering with unease when the story will turn bad for these unlikely protagonists. And it does.

But like the most awkward things in life, there’s a charm about this movie. It’s more than wanting to find out if the men will find a new house and more than wanting Larry to allow one of the men backing the home after a psychotic outburst. More than a curiosity about their situation, there’s a fascination with the lifestyle of these mentally ill men and their caretaker who, as the movie reveals, has problems of his own.

The film doesn’t aim to make a statement about the holes in mental health care, but it does. It doesn’t aim to make someone out to be a villain and others to be the hero, like everyone, the men are a little of both. Above all Sons of a Gun tells a story, and anyone whose own story is a little awkward will enjoy this film.