The Mexican

Plot

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.

Release Year: 2001

Rating: 6.0/10 (49,446 voted)

Critic's Score: 43/100

Director:
Gore Verbinski

Stars: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini

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.

Cast:

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

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

Ernesto Gómez Cruz
–

Tropillo

Taglines:
love with the safety off

Details

Official Website:
Dreamworks SKG |

Release Date: 2 March 2001

Filming Locations: Belz Factory Outlet Mall – 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office Details

Budget: $34,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $20,108,829
(USA)
(4 March 2001)
(2951 Screens)

Gross: $147,845,033
(Worldwide)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Despite the fact that this was filmed in Super 35, "Filmed in Panavision" is listed in the end credits.

Goofs:

Continuity:
When Sam is throwing stuff from the balcony, Jerry is standing in shadow in one shot, but in bright sunshine in every other.

Quotes:

Samantha:
All right. Jerry, I want you to acknowledge that my needs means nothing to you and you're a selfish prick and a liar.

Jerry:
Oh, my God!

Samantha:
Jerry, acknowledge.

Jerry:
I… Ok. I will acknowledge that I promised to go to Vegas with you. But now we're just slightly delayed. If you want to construe my wanting to stay alive as being selfish, well, then okay. But I have every intention of going with you because your needs are very important to me, sweetheart. Come on. Look at my all my stuff here, all over the pavement. Come on, baby? Huh? What do you say? Ok?
[…]

User Review

I had a very good time watching this movie

Rating: 8/10


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.