Review of The Matador (2005) by Robert I — 30 Dec 2012
Written and directed by Richard Shepherd, (Mercy (1995), Oxygen (1999) and Mexico City (2000)), this is an amusing and twisty black comedy, which showed a previously comic side to it's leading man who had just left the James Bond series after much speculation, and it might actually be his best work.
It's got some clever dialogue and good performances as well, it's a bit of an overlooked film too. Salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) has gone to Mexico City to land a contract that might just save his career, in the hotel bar one night, he meets the mysterious Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan).
An awkward friendship begins, it's revealed that Julian is a professional assassin, and he travels the world accepting hits from his contact Mr. Randy (Philip Baker Hall). But, Julian has hit the rocks and is going through a mid-life crisis and has hit the bottle.
But, he finds something in Danny that cheers him up, even though Danny is left uncomfortable by Julian. Things take a turn though when 6 months later, after being unable to do a hit, Julian arrives at the house of Danny and his wife Bean (Hope Davis).
It's a funny film, and the sight of Brosnan in a cheerleaders outfit is a sight to behold, he and Kinnear spark brilliantly off one another, and it has an interesting premise sparking from an unlikely pairing.
But it's funny and effective.
This review of The Matador (2005) was written by Robert I on 30 Dec 2012.
The Matador has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
