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:

La mexicana

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

The Mexican is a 2001 romantic action crime comedy from director Gore Verbinksi and stars Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini. In the film, Brad Pitt stars as a man working for the mob whom is sent to Mexico to retrieve an antique pistol which according to legend is cursed. But, complications emerge when his employer's grandson accidentally gets shot in the head and his estranged girlfriend (Julia Roberts) gets kidnapped by a gay hitman (James Gandolfini).

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Goofs

In the bar where he meets Beck, Jerry orders tequila and takes a sip from the shot glass, leaving it a bit over half full. A moment later, just before the bartender drinks it, the shot glass is completely full.

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Quotes

Winston Baldry: Do you want me to rape you?
Samantha: Are you gay?
Winston Baldry: Do you want me to rape you?
Samantha: You are gay.

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the credits, Samantha whispers "I love you, Jerry".

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Mexican/Enemy at the Gates/See Spot Run (2001)

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Soundtracks

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Written by Lee Hazlewood
Performed by Nancy Sinatra
Courtesy of Boots Enterprises Inc.

User Reviews

Not as bad, as people say.

Being quite a harsh critic myself, I was surprised to see how badly recieved this film was. Admittably the film tended to drag a little length and was missing something to make it a little more entertaining.

But the film has some interesting characters, situations, and scenery to make this film highly watchable. Pitt and Roberts are good, but have put in much better performances elsewhere. And spend the majority of the film apart. I suspect the main criticisms of this film are mainly to do with high expectations: in having Pitt, Roberts and the Sopranos guy in. But in summary, an alright film - but nothing special.