Bandidas (2006)

Directors:

Joachim Rønning
Espen Sandberg

Writers (WGA):

Luc Besson (written by) &
Robert Mark Kamen (written by)

Release Date:

18 January 2006 (Belgium)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Western

Tagline:

Buscadas...vivas o muertas. (Wanted...alive or dead.)

Plot:

In turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.

Plot Keywords:

Bank | Farmer | Mexico | Money | Gun

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Penélope Cruz	...	Maria Alvarez
Salma Hayek	...	Sara Sandoval
Steve Zahn	...	Quentin
Dwight Yoakam	...	Tyler Jackson
Denis Arndt	...	Ashe
Audra Blaser	...	Clarissa Ashe
Sam Shepard	...	Bill Buck
Ismael 'East' Carlo	...	Don Diego
Gary Cervantes	...	Pedro (as Carlos Cervantes)
José María Negri	...	Padre Pablo
Lenny Zundel	...	Bernardo
Edgar Vivar	...	Expl. Bank Manager
Ernesto Gómez Cruz	...	Brujo
Filiberto Estrella	...	Midget
Yomo Tlazotlalli	...	Gordo (as Yomo Tlazotlally)

Also Known As:

Bandidas (France)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexuality, nudity and violence.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

France | Mexico | USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | France:U | Netherlands:MG6 | Norway:11 | UK:12A | Finland:K-11 | Italy:T | Brazil:12 | South Korea:12 | Hungary:14 | Germany:6 (f) | Argentina:13 | Iceland:10 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #42392) | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Portugal:M/12 | Germany:12 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Durango, Mexico

Company:

Europa Corp.

Trivia:

Originally set for a wide US theatrical release in late 2005 and then early 2006; the film was finally given a 22 September 2006 date and was an exclusive Cinema Latino Theatres chain release.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Sara and Quentin investigate a bank posing as a couple, Sara is mourning her late mother. Later while arguing with Maria about kissing, she said she was "a widow in mourning"

Quotes:

[after the priest catches her and Maria having a brawl in the church over the stolen money]
Sara Sandoval: Uh, we were just debating the basic economic theories of wealth distribution.

Soundtrack:

Habanera

Nice movie to have a break out of ordinary life.

This is a typical "just fun to watch" movie. Nothing for hardcore movie freaks, more but i find it rather well done. Not to much clichés, some gags are very good and some nice lines of text... The action is also in balance and sometimes rather funny. The 2 Bandidas are of course quit sexy and nice looking, but especially Penélope Cruz (Maria) performs well and has that very groovy "archtype" Spanish look that makes you wonder where to hide if she ever get's mad at you. The story and characters are not so well developed, but that's hardly a problem for this type of movie. So if you are looking for a fun movie to relax with and have a good time with your girl/boy/pet and you like some humor and action, check it out. But don't expect a "cinematic masterpiece".