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The Mexican (2001)
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Reviews Counted:127
Fresh:70
Rotten:57
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Though The Mexican makes a good attempt at originality, its ponderous length makes it wear out its welcome. Also, those looking forward to seeing Roberts and Pitt paired up may end up disappointed, as they are kept apart for most of the movie.
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts have star power to burn in Gore Verbinski's offbeat THE MEXICAN, about the search for a cursed legendary gun. Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, a small-time loser who is... Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts have star power to burn in Gore Verbinski's offbeat THE MEXICAN, about the search for a cursed legendary gun. Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, a small-time loser who is given no choice but to run an errand for a powerful boss (Bob Balaban) who will have him killed if he fails. But if he accepts the job to go to San Miguel to pick up the beautiful handcrafted gun known as the Mexican, his loud, demanding girlfriend, Samantha (Roberts), will leave him and move to Vegas. But through a course of bizarre events, his contact is shot in the top of his head, the gun is stolen, and Sam is kidnapped and held hostage by a hired killer (James Gandolfini) who is not all that he seems. Verbinski tells this humorous tale of love, trust, double crosses, and murder as part road-trip comedy, part wacky film noir. The supporting cast, including terrific turns by J.K. Simmons, Bob Balaban, and Michael Cerveris, makes for the requisite bunch of second-rate hoods and other lowlifes. Pitt and Roberts are excellent as the always-battling couple, but Gandolfini steals the show as a sensitive hit man with a dangerous secret. The excellent soundtrack includes such classic songs as "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and "Safety Dance." [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini, Bob Balaban
Starring: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini, Bob Balaban, Michael Cerveris, Castulo Guerra, David Krumholtz, J.K. Simmons, Sherman Augustus
Director: Gore Verbinski
Director: Gore Verbinski
Screenwriter: J. H. Wyman
Producer: Lawrence Bender, John Baldecchi
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
Reviews for The Mexican
This hodgepodge bears a great deal of charm that's not often found in slicker big-star vehicles.
Many scenes suffer from a mild case of the blands, and the whole enchilada could have used some tightening.
The jokes pay off more often than not, and the unexpected twists in J.H. Wyman's script liven up the picture considerably.
J.H. Wyman's clever script takes chances and includes some truly satisfying payoffs.
A passably diverting entry in the Tarantino genre of splatter and yuks and soulfully bumbling hit men.
cinematographer Dariusz Wolski's location shots of the beautiful mountain town of Real de Catorce were spectacular.
A quirky, smart gem of a movie that is not only fun to watch, but has quite a few meaningful things to say about life, love, and death.
The four actors and their well-defined characters are so likable that plot becomes irrelevant. Watching them interact is pleasure enough.
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