Review of The Matador (2005) by Manly D — 25 Apr 2008

Summary: An "everyman" businessman, played by Greg Kinnear, has a chance encounter with an assassin, played by Pierce Brosnan, while on a business trip in Mexico.

Plot: Danny (Kinnear) is in Mexico trying to get a job that he desperately needs. While at the bar celebrating an excellent presentation, he runs into Julian (Brosnan). After Danny's business partner leaves, Danny and Julian begin an awkward conversation/meeting. This proceeds into Julian telling Danny about his job as an assassin, and what he does, which Danny disbelieves. After a demonstration, Danny is shocked and scared. Six months later, Julian shows up on Danny's doorstep needing help. Will Danny dare to turn down this potentially dangerous man's request?

Acting: Kinnear and Brosnan both do well in this movie, although it's far from their best performances. Overall, the acting is simply okay, and that's mostly carried by the on-screen chemistry between the two.

Overview: The movie develops in a somewhat Tarantino-ish manner, with a bunch of back- and forward-pedaling (I think I just made that word up). It's interesting, but not the best method of storytelling... however, in this case, it helps keep some of the "what happened?" factor of the movie going, and keeps you interested. The unusual storytelling, combined with average acting, makes this an okay movie that could work for some people, but isn't really a must see. If you want an amusing and interesting assassin movie, I could recommend half a dozen other movies that do it better.