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 & 2 nominations.

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 | dreamworks | pistol | curse | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was on the set of this movie that Julia Roberts met her husband, cameraman Daniel Moder.

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Goofs

When driving in the new style Volkswagen Beetle, the engine sound is that of an original, air cooled, rear engine Volkswagen Beetle.

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Quotes

Jerry: Yeah..."you're just doing your job..."
Ted: Hey, I do what I have to do, okay?
Jerry: Would you listen to yourself? You sound like Schultz from Hogan's Heroes!
[Imitating]
Jerry: "I know nothing! Nothing!"

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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

References Seven Samurai (1954)

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Soundtracks

Why Can't We Be Friends
Written by Jerry Goldstein, B.B. Dickerson, Lee Oskar, Lonnie Jordan, Howard Scott, Charles Miller, Papa Dee Allen (as Sylvester Allen), and Harold R. Brown
Performed by War
Courtesy of Avenue Records / Far Out Productions, Inc.

User Reviews

Excellent--pleasantly surprised

I didn't expect much of this film and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Well written (despite what others here have said), well directed (except for the pace which got slow), well acted (both Roberts and Pitt were believable and very funny, and Gandolfini was funny and touching). The criticism of Pitt, Roberts and Gandolfini is especially perplexing, as they were all in top form.

So why all the complaints? I don't get it. Yes, it was 10-15 minutes too long. Yes, it changed tone somewhat drastically near the end. But overall it was surprising, very funny, interesting to look at and fun.

Details

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 Pictures, Newmarket Capital Group, Lawrence Bender Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1