The Mexican (2001)

A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways.

Director:

Gore Verbinski

Writer:

J.H. Wyman

Stars:

Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Pitt	...	Jerry Welbach
Julia Roberts	...	Samantha Barzel
James Gandolfini	...	Winston Baldry
J.K. Simmons	...	Ted Slocum
Bob Balaban	...	Bernie Nayman
Sherman Augustus	...	Well Dressed Black Man
Michael Cerveris	...	Frank
Gene Hackman	...	Arnold Margolese
Richard Coca	...	Car Thief #1
David Krumholtz	...	Beck
Castulo Guerra	...	Joe the Pawnshop Owner
Mayra Serbulo	...	Emanuelle (as Maira Serbulo)
Salvador Sánchez	...	Gunsmith
Alan Ciangherotti	...	Gunsmith's Assistant (as Alan Cianguerotti)
Melisa Romero	...	Gunsmith's Daughter

Storyline

Jerry Welbach is given two ultimatums. His mob boss wants him to travel to Mexico to get a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican" or he will suffer the consequences. The other ultimatum comes from his girlfriend Samantha, who wants him to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures that being alive, although in trouble with his girlfriend is the better alternative so he heads south of the border. Finding the pistol is easy but getting it home is a whole other matter. The pistol supposedly carries a curse - a curse Jerry is given every reason to believe, especially when Samantha is held hostage by the gay hit man Leroy to ensure the safe return of the pistol.

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Plot Keywords:

bulletproof vest | dead body in a car trunk | pistol | curse | hostage | 

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Taglines:

love with the safety off

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Official Sites:

Dreamworks SKG

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

2 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mexican

Filming Locations:

Belz Factory Outlet Mall - 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$57,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,108,829, 4 March 2001

Gross USA:

$66,845,033

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$147,845,033

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks, Newmarket Capital Group, Lawrence Bender Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the start of the movie before we are introduced to Jerry and Samantha, we see a traffic light on Laurel Canyon and we hear a car crash into another car. In the restaurant bathroom scene, Samantha tells Winston that Arnold Margolese ended up in prison because Jerry ran a red light and smashed into Margolese's Cadillac which Margolese got arrest for having a person in the trunk of his car.

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Goofs

The first time Jerry tucks his revolver beneath the dash of the El Camino (while Beck is relieving himself outside the bar), the orientation of the gun would indicate that the right side of the firearm is being shown to the audience; however, the cylinder release is clearly visible, indicating that this is actually the left side of the gun and the shot has been reversed. (Also note that he uses his right hand to stow the revolver but the orientation of the hand, especially the thumb, would indicate a left hand. This is further evidence of a flopped shot.)

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Quotes

Car Thief: If you're going to kill me at least tell me who it is that's going to send me to God. Tell me!
Jerry: Look, I'm not going to kill you. But I am going to have to shoot you.
Car Thief: But why, sir? Why?
Jerry: Why? Why? Because you stole from me and you know about the pistol and you're just gonna steal again and I can't have you coming back in the situation like a fly in the ointment.
Car Thief: No, I won't be a fly! You'll never see me again.
Jerry: Look, you're getting shot and that's it. It will take you time to get to the next town ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

In the middle of the credits, when the first or second song ends, you hear the guy from the car rentals shout "RAOUL !!"

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Connections

Referenced in Resident Evil (2002)

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Soundtracks

The Dukes of Hazzard
Written by Waylon Jennings

User Reviews

I had a very good time watching this movie

Personally I had a very good time watching this movie, but it seems like I'm one of the few. I don't know why, but the voters on this website always seem to hate comedies if they aren't from the hand of some cult-director. Does a movie always have to be a great drama or an exciting thriller? Not if you ask me, but I'm only one of many over here of course.

It's true, the movie is a little chaotic from time to time. It isn't an overproduced Hollywood movie that takes itself too serious and that's exactly where its charm is in it for me. I loved to see Brad Pitt as the clumsy criminal who always is able to do something wrong. The same for Julia Roberts as his hysterical girlfriend and James Gandolfini as the gay hit man who has kidnapped her.

I know, it's not done to say that you liked to see Julia Roberts play a certain role and Brad Pitt can never be good as a comical actor... Well, perhaps it is time for some people to broaden their minds. Don't believe what everybody says, watch it for yourself and form your own opinion. I liked it and I give it an 8/10.