Never having seen this film when it made its commercial debut, we were able to catch it when it showed recently on a cable channel. "The Mexican" is a film that combines genres. It tries to be a madcap comedy, a road film, and a crime comedy. Gore Verbinsky tries to make sense of the J. H. Wyman's screenplay, without much success.
Fans of Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt were probably disappointed with the finished product because they only appear together for a short time. Brad Pitt plays the goofy Jerry, a gofer for a mobster who is sent to Mexico to retrieve the valuable silver pistol. Julia Roberts is Samantha, Jerry's girlfriend, whose main ambition is to relocate to Las Vegas to be a croupier.
The viewer is rewarded by the wonderful supporting cast. James Gandolfini plays a bad guy sent to get Jerry in Mexico. His character is the most complex of the film and to boot, he is gay, something that Samantha notices without much trouble. J. K. Simmons, sporting a blond wig, has some good moments as Ted. Bob Balaban is also on hand to play the man who sent Jerry to get the pistol. Gene Hackman shows up toward the end showing why he is one of the best character actor of his generation.
Fans of Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt were probably disappointed with the finished product because they only appear together for a short time. Brad Pitt plays the goofy Jerry, a gofer for a mobster who is sent to Mexico to retrieve the valuable silver pistol. Julia Roberts is Samantha, Jerry's girlfriend, whose main ambition is to relocate to Las Vegas to be a croupier.
The viewer is rewarded by the wonderful supporting cast. James Gandolfini plays a bad guy sent to get Jerry in Mexico. His character is the most complex of the film and to boot, he is gay, something that Samantha notices without much trouble. J. K. Simmons, sporting a blond wig, has some good moments as Ted. Bob Balaban is also on hand to play the man who sent Jerry to get the pistol. Gene Hackman shows up toward the end showing why he is one of the best character actor of his generation.