Get the Gringo (2012)

A career criminal nabbed by Mexican authorities is placed in a tough prison where he learns to survive with the help of a young boy.

Director:

Adrian Grunberg (as Adrian Grünberg)

Writers:

Mel Gibson, Stacy Perskie

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Kevin Balmore, Daniel Giménez Cacho

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mel Gibson	...	Driver
Kevin Balmore	...	Kid (as Kevin Hernandez)
Daniel Giménez Cacho	...	Javi
Jesús Ochoa	...	Caracas
Dolores Heredia	...	Kid's Mom
Peter Gerety	...	Embassy Guy
Roberto Sosa	...	Carnal (as Roberto Sosa Martinez)
Peter Stormare	...	Frank
Mario Zaragoza	...	Vasquez
Gerardo Taracena	...	Romero
Dean Norris	...	Bill
Tenoch Huerta	...	Carlos (as Tenoch Huerta Mejia)
Fernando Becerril	...	Prison Director
Scott Cohen	...	Frank's Lawyer
Bob Gunton	...	Thomas Kaufman

Storyline

Heading toward the Mexican border, a getaway driver disguised as a clown and his wounded accomplice try to escape the American Police with a loot of over $2 million hidden in the trunk of the car. In a desperate attempt to break through the thick border fence, the driver crashes the car, the accomplice dies and he inevitably gets apprehended by Mexican Police officers Romero and Vasquez who want the money just for themselves. As the only American inmate in the infamous "El Pueblito" Mexican prison, which resembles more of a small village of convicts rather than a usual prison, the driver quickly gets the nickname "The Gringo" and finds out first hand how rough it is to be a stranger in the perilous world of Javi, the ruthless crime lord who runs the prison. Sooner or later, the Gringo will form an alliance with a 10-year-old kid whose peculiar immunity in this mad place will efficiently keep him alive, only to realise that in this pit, everyone knows about the $2 million. In the end, ...

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Plot Keywords:

mexican | prison | career criminal | mexico | die hard scenario | 

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Taglines:

Brilliantly Badass!

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, some drug use and sexual material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [UK]

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

22 June 2012 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Filming Locations:

Brownsville, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Airborne Productions,Burk A Project,Estudios Churubusco Azteca S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the "Making of Get the Gringo" featurette, Mel Gibson had originally contacted Steve Jobs to play a part in the film. Steve showed initial enthusiasm, but eventually declined the offer, citing that he wasn't much of an actor. Gibson then resorted to the hilarious Clint Eastwood impression.

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Goofs

During the police chase in the opening scene, the vehicle being driven is a Mercury Grand Marquis, but a ford emblem is visible on the trunk.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Clown: I need a doctor!
Driver: I'll get you a vet, you son of a bitch! You should'a shot him first!
Bill: [over radio] We've got two clowns heading south on Wall 51, four miles from the border.
Driver: And stop bleeding on my money!
Bill: [over radio] All units be advised, suspects are armed and dangerous.
Driver: [Clown vomiting blood] What the fuck?
Driver: [narration] Well, hello boys and girls. there's nothing worse than a sad clown. Unless it's a clown bleeding internally and coughing it all over your money.

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Connections

References Lethal Weapon (1987)

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Soundtracks

CallesSecas
Written and performed by Antonio Pinto

User Reviews

Great film - worth watching

Fast moving, well paced and well constructed story, with excellent characterisation and some humorous moments to leaven the dark plot.

Mel Gibson does a really fine job in the lead role, and is utterly believable as a tough, clever crook who's hard heart is moved by the plight of a mother and child threatened by powerful foes. Really great too to see the female lead played by someone who looks like a normal person (rather than some ridiculous super-model). It helps the female viewer empathise with the character so much more.

The film is quite violent, though - be prepared. I spent part of the film with my hand over my eyes, but my bloodthirsty partner loved it.

Definitely worth paying to see this at the cinema - you won't be disappointed.