Assassination Tango (2002)

An aging hitman gets a contract to kill a general in Buenos Aires. But when his mark becomes unavailable, he becomes involved in Argentinian tango culture.

Director:

Robert Duvall

Writer:

Robert Duvall

Stars:

Robert Duvall, Rubén Blades, Kathy Baker

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Duvall	...	John J.
Rubén Blades	...	Miguel
Kathy Baker	...	Maggie
Luciana Pedraza	...	Manuela
Julio Oscar Mechoso	...	Orlando
James Keane	...	Whitey
Frank Gio	...	Frankie (as Frankie Gio)
Katherine Micheaux Miller	...	Jenny
Frank Cassavetes	...	Jo Jo
Michael Corrente	...	Cop at Newsstand
Raúl Outeda	...	Tony Manas
Géraldine Rojas	...	Pirucha
Renee Victor	...	Stella
Richard Marquez	...	Salsa Band Member
Nelson Marquez	...	Salsa Band Member

Storyline

John J. is a seasoned hit man sent on a job to Argentina. When the General he's sent to kill delays his return to the country, John passes the time with Manuela, a beautiful dancer who becomes his teacher and guide into Argentina's sensual world of the tango. Spellbound by the rich and mysterious world Manuela has shown him, his idyll is shattered when the reality of why he's there comes crashing down around him.

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Plot Keywords:

tango | argentina | general | dancer | hitman | 

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Taglines:

No one is more dangerous than the man who lives two lives.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

United Artists

Country:

USA Argentina

Language:

English Spanish German

Release Date:

4 September 2003 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Bérgyilkos tangó

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$64,474 (USA) (28 March 2003)

Gross:

$970,185 (USA) (27 June 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, American Zoetrope, Butcher's Run Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is Robert Duvall's tribute to tango, which is why he filmed it in Buenos Aires using many real tango dancers and authentic tango locations. Some of the tango celebrity faces you can spot include: Geraldine Rojas and Javiar Rodriguez (Pirucha - sister of Manuela and her first partner), Pablo Veron (Pirucha's final parter in the closing credits), Jorge Dispari and La Turca, Orlanda Paiva, Maria Nieves, Armando Orzuza, Carlos Copello, Alicia Monti, Los Hermanos Macana (two men performing a dance). The club with the checkerboard floor is Club Sin Rumbo, in the outskirt of the city, but a famous barrio for producing excellent tango dancers.

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Quotes

Cop at Newsstand: How's the club doin' these days?
John J.: Real good although I-I-I'm gettin' a little too much lately.
Cop at Newsstand: [Sheepishly] You know, I'd come by although I don't think Frankie likes me around that much.
John J.: [Reassuringly] Why not come on in? Frankie's all right once you get to know him.
Cop at Newsstand: Yeah?
John J.: Yeah.
Cop at Newsstand: Still dancin'?
John J.: Some. Not like I used to but some. Yeah.
Cop at Newsstand: You look a little more tired than I remember, John... a little worn out... all those late hours you're keeping...
John J.: [Annoyed about the remark] Ah, whatever.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Aplaude Y Baila"
Written by Jeanne Ricks
Performed by Jeanne Ricks

User Reviews

Assassination Tango Robert Duvall

I loved this! There a dark element to it ,but also a very romantic side. I've read Robert Duvall loves to tango in real life, and his dancing in this is so graceful and talented. The dancing in this is exquisite and the women so lovely and natural. They have the most beautiful legs I've ever seen. I was entranced by the dancing and Robert Duvall's performance was, as usual, without fault. I highly recommend it for Robert Duvall fans. The film makes me want to visit Argentina and see in person their beautiful dancing. I read somewhere that Duvall said that as writer, producer and actor he had trouble getting financing from the major studios, so he did it himself. Most of the scenes were filmed in New York for that reason. In my opinion, the final result is stellar!