With two of Hollywood’s most bankable actors, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, it’s not difficult to see that The Mexican will make it big at the box office, and it won’t even matter if the movie’s any good. Luckily, The Mexican has what it takes to satisfy moviegoers’ needs for entertainment. It has a sassy script, colorful scenery, complimentary music, and one of the best ensemble casts in a comedy this year.
Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts play boyfriend/girlfriend Jerry and Samantha. As we are introduced to the duo, Samantha is chucking wadded up clothes off the balcony down at Jerry, screaming that he’s selfish and should quit the mob business like he’d promised. After a rigorous debate, Jerry decides he’d rather be in the doghouse with Sam than lose his neck. Thus begins his journey for the Mexican (an ancient gun that carries a curse that extends into modern day).
Finding the Mexican is the easy part for Jerry; it’s keeping a hold of it that proves to be a difficult task. Encountering many obstacles and freak occurrences, Jerry is sent on a wild chase through the colorful landscape of Mexico. While Jerry is getting into it deeper south of the border, Samantha is also getting put through the ringer while on her way to Las Vegas. Kidnapped and held hostage, she is forced to keep company with mob hit man Leroy, played by an always superb James Gandolfinni.
Though separated onscreen, Jerry and Samantha still have undeniable chemistry, and become more and more likable as the film progresses. It’s a breath of fresh air to see an onscreen romance this good in the midst of clunkers like What Women Want and Sweet November. Finally, a couple worth cheering for.
The best part of The Mexican isn’t the plot or twists and turns (and believe me, there are some good ones). It’s the delightful verve of Samantha, the endearing honesty of Jerry, the conflicting emotion of Leroy, and the aloofness of Ted (J.K. Simmons). These characters are worth caring about, and that’s what makes this movie worth watching.
+ ashley adams
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