Review of The Mexican (2001) by David S — 05 Sep 2009

I wasn't expecting much when I popped this in my dvd player. The only memory I have of this movie was seeing bits and pieces of it on an airplane while I was on vacaction as a kid. I remember my Mom saying she shouldn't have paid for the headphones because the movie sucked; that is where my memory of this movie ends. Now, years later, I get a recomendation from my friend, saying that this movie is good; comparing it to In Bruges, which I love. I figure, all right, it must involve gangsters and be a quirky sort of comedy, if it truly is like In Bruges, like my friend says. However, this movie has one glaring negative about it; it stars Julia Roberts.

Now, I've noted my dislike of Julia Roberts before, and while I still don't like her, in this movie or any other, I found myself more interested in her side of the story rather than Brad Pitt's, and the chief reason for this was James Gandolfini, who turns in a brilliant performance as a hitman using Julia Roberts's character as a hostage in order to make sure Brad Pitt's character goes through with his mission to obtain a priceless mexican pistol and return it to his mob boss. As time goes on, however, the two bond and we discover that James Gandolfini, while a hitman, is sensitive and totally understands what Julia's character is going through with her boyfriend. Also, Gandolfini's character is gay, which I suppose explains his sensitivity.

Gandolfini's performance in this movie is like a diamond in the rough. He shines, while the rest of the movie sort of drags on. It isn't bad, it just sort of tends to repeat itself. The whole thing with this movie is that Brad Pitt's character is basically a fuck up; he desperatly wants to get out of the mob, but he can't help but get into trouble, it always seems to find him wherever he goes. This repeats again and again as the movie goes on. For example: Brad thinks he's made it; he's got the gun and is in the airport, ready to go, then realizes that he accidentally switched passports with his friend, etc. Again, this isn't bad, it just sort of wears thin after a while.

While the story can get a little tiresome at times, the acting is actually pretty good. The performances are as you'd expect from a quirky, black comedy. Pitt plays his part well, over the top and always exasperated. Roberts plays the bitchy girlfriend, a part she seems to play TO well, if you ask me. And, as I mentioned before, Gandolfini turns in a great performance as the gay hitman, a part I'm surprised didn't get him some award nominations.

Cinematography is good, effectively capturing the deserts and villiages of Mexico, and Gore Verbinski (director of the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy) does a good job balancing humor and drama.

Aside from Julia Roberts, who I admit I'm biased against, The Mexican is a decent black comedy that runs a little long, but is saved by a fantastic performance by a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini. Definitely worth a rental, if only to see Gandolfini's excellent performance.