The Mexican [DVD] [2001]

The bad press put me off seeing this film until now (2004), and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. The plot is clever and witty, the story engaging, the acting superb and it made me laugh out loud on several occasions.

Maybe movie reviewers just run out of original things to say and just agree with one another that a film is bad. It certainly seems that way with The Mexican. So I beg you, watch this movie! - you may hate it - you may love it. But have your OWN opinion and don't just agree with what the critics say!

Jerry, a small-time crook trying to go straight to save his relationship with the fiery Sam, gets hired to retrieve a pair of antique pistols, steeped in folklore, for a mystery buyer. As collateral, Sam is taken hostage by a tough looking hitman, who isn't all he seems to be. Sneaking the guns away isn't as easy as it might first seem, and Jerry has to race against time to rescue his girlfriend and their relationship.

Inspite of the cracking pace of the film's main storyline, both characters get plenty of opportunity to explore the complexities of their relationship. There are many moments of surprising levity peppered throughout - the repeated telling of the tale behind the pistols from different perspectives is particularly sharp and amusing - and James Gandolfini puts in a stonking show as a hitman-with-a-secret.

Brad and Julia really do excel in their roles, and the scenes where they are both together are highly charged, entertaining exchanges, though the film's premise keeps them apart for the majority of the whole thing. The film is given added depth by keeping a tight, compact primary set of characters, but builds the climax very nicely for a keen finish.

I see from the review list that opinion is certainly split on this one - some people love it, some people hate it, in which case the only advice I'd give is to take a look and see for yourself. I could understand why some people might not take to a strange film that can at first seem quite superficial, but personally, I thought it was top stuff.

Jerry, a part-time thief trying to 'go straight' to save his relationship with the feisty Sam, gets dragged into a scheme to gain possession of two antique pistols and deliver them to a mysterious buyer. As collateral to make sure he comes through with the goods, Sam is kidnapped by a burly, but chatty and world-weary guard (James Gandolfini) who isn't quite what he seems...

Brad and Julia do their 'thing', and their characters have plenty of scenes to really explore the intricacies of Sam and Jerry's relationship, despite them rarely appearing on-screen at the same time for virtually the whole film. There are lots of amusing moments to lighten the fast-paced journey of the film - the multiple version flashbacks to the story behind the pistols which Jerry has been sent to retrieve are really quite entertaining - and the quirky characters chasing Jerry and Sam definitely add something to an eclectic mix of personalities. The plot takes a few strange twists and livens things up with a few sideline stories and characters, but moves along at a cracking pace, and with some slick acting from Pitt throughout.

There's a real mix of opinion on this film here, I notice. It's hard to sum it up in just a few sentences, I suppose the best advice is to see it with an open mind, let the film take you through the story and see what you think.

Personally I thought it was top.