The Mexican

2001

The Mexican

Critics Consensus

Though The Mexican makes a good attempt at originality, its ponderous length makes it wear out its welcome. Also, those looking forward to seeing Roberts and Pitt paired up may end up disappointed, as they are kept apart for most of the movie.

55%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 132

44%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 132,305
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Movie Info

A clumsy criminal is put in a position where he not only has to save his own skin, but that of his girlfriend in this comedy with strong undercurrents of romance. Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is a low-level Mafia "mechanic" whose ineptitude is countered by frequent (but unpredictable) bursts of dumb luck. Jerry's girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) wants him to get out of the business, and after his latest blunder lands capo Arnold Margolese (Gene Hackman) in jail, so does mid-level crime kingpin Bernie Nayman (Bob Balaban). But Bernie insists that Jerry do one last errand for the mob before they let him find employment elsewhere -- he has to go to Mexico and recover a rare and very valuable pistol, which is said to be cursed. While Samantha objects to Jerry taking the assignment, he isn't in much of a position to argue; Jerry heads south of the border, while Samantha, in a huff, sets out for Las Vegas. Once in Mexico, Jerry finds the pistol easily enough, but making his way back to the States proves to be an unexpected challenge. Meanwhile, Jerry's superiors want insurance that he'll return with the goods, so they hire Leroy (James Gandolfini), a hitman, to kidnap Samantha and hold her hostage until Jerry comes back. However, Samantha and Leroy quickly strike up a friendship, and she soon learns the gunman has a sensitive side he doesn't show to the world -- along with a few other secrets. The Mexican marked the first screen pairing for mega-stars Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt -- though, given the film's narrative arc, they play only a handful of scenes together. The film was directed by Gore Verbinski, who won awards for his work in commercials before breaking through with the quirky family comedy Mouse Hunt.

Cast

Brad Pitt
as Jerry
Julia Roberts
as Samantha
James Gandolfini
as Leroy
Gene Hackman
as Arnold Margolese
J.K. Simmons
as Ted
Bob Balaban
as Nayman
Sherman Augustus
as Well Dressed Black Man
Michael Cerveris
as Frank
Richard Coca
as Car Thief
David Krumholtz
as Beck
Castulo Guerra
as Joe
Mayra Serbulo
as Emanuelle
Salvador Sanchez
as Gunsmith
Alan Ciangherotti
as Gunsmith's Assistant
Melisa Romero
as Gunsmith's Daughter
Ernesto Gomez Cruz
as Tropillo
Daniel Escobar
as Raoul
Dale Raoul
as Estelle
Jeremy Roberts
as Bobby Victory
Jorge Malpica
as Mexican Gas Station Clerk
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
as Mexican Policeman
Steve Rossi
as Vegas M.C.
Clint Curtis
as Vegas Busboy
Lawrence Bender
as Vegas Onlooker
Ariane Pellicer
as Mexican Ticket Agent
Carlos La Camara
as Car Rental Rep
Daniel Zacapa
as Bartender
Alfredo Escobar
as Car Thief No. 2
Luis Artagnan
as Car Thief No. 3
Fermín Martínez
as Chicken Farmer
José Carlos Rodríguez
as Hotel Clerk
Gustavo Aguilar
as Junk Yard Proprietor
Lucia Pailles
as Mexican Woman at Phone
Gilberto Barraza
as 2nd Man with Gun
Humberto Fernandez Tristan
as Nobleman
Luis Felipe Tovar
as Nobleman's Son
Fausta Torres
as Elderly Mexican Lady
Lolo Navarro
as Chosen Grandmother
Emiliano Guerra
as Small Boy with Flashlight
Miguel Ángel Fuentes
as Big Thief No. 4
Angelina Peláez
as Mother
Arthur Taxier
as Hotel Security
William Fuller
as Big Tom
Harrison Fuller
as `Big Tom' Double
Gerardo Taracena
as Reveler to Fire Gun
John Pisci
as Musician
Rudy Aikels
as Musician
Ronald Simone
as Musician
Alan Silvestri
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Critic Reviews for The Mexican

All Critics (132) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (72) | Rotten (60)

View All Critic Reviews (132)

Audience Reviews for The Mexican

  • Nov 29, 2011
    I don't exactly see where the animosity for this film came from. I enjoyed it. So what if Pitt and Roberts were kept apart for most of the film? Does it really matter that much? Does it make the film terrible? No, not at all.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Aug 16, 2011
    I don't exactly see where the animosity for this film came from. I enjoyed it. So what if Pitt and Roberts were kept apart for most of the film? Does it really matter that much? Does it make the film terrible? No, not at all.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Jun 17, 2011
    The story centres around a guy who, by misfortune, works for organised crime. His last job for them is to collect an antique gun from a guy in a bar in Mexico. His girlfriend, none too pleased with his trip to Mexico, dumps him before he leaves. What follows is a mixture of comedy, caper movie and a vicious satire on relationship therapy culture. Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts are excellent in their roles, particularly Pitt, who manages to give his character no cool or clue. James Gandolfini steals the show as a sensitive hitman who doesn't want to be "defined" by what he does. While parts of the film are hilarious there are dark moments in there too. While The Mexican isn't quite as good as say "American Beauty", it is pitched at the same level, treading the lines between straight comedy, satire and meaning-of-life navel contemplation.
    Mouhannad S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 22, 2011
    The movie slides off of its genre's beat a fair bit, but still deviates to some small cliches and isn't quite the tightest-edited. In spite of this, the film is still fairly clever, reasonably well-acted, entertaingly scored and very funny. As for these two stories, they have a fair balance and are both equally entertaining and strong in their casts and plots, keeping me from feeling disappoinment when they left me hanging on for the other story, but rather excited about them both. Of course, it does come to a bit more of a serious final act that does draw to a pretty solid conclusion. At the end of the day, "The Mexican" has its flaws, but is still a very entertaining and cool little flick I had a great time with.
    Cameron J Super Reviewer
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