The Mexican (DVD 2002)

For a film that stars two of the biggest box office draws of modern day Hollywood, the composition of this film is quite unusual to say the least. Both Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt spend hardly any of the film's time actually opposite each other, and to be perfectly frank, the film works a whole lot better when they are apart!
Jerry Welbach is a small time hoodlum of pathetic stature. Having caused a motor accident with high powered mobster Arnold Margolese, Welbach is sent on a numerous jobs to redeem himself. With his unfortunate ability to mess everything up, he is given one last chance to get himself off the hook by travelling to Mexico and picking up an antique pistol for the now imprisoned boss.

Welbach's partner Samantha not being too chuffed with the prospect of her lover dashing off again, throws his clothes out of their room and generally hot foots it out of his life. Unfortunately the message that Jerry and Samantha are no longer an item hasn't reached Margolese's ears as he sets a hitman off to abduct Samantha.

A hitman (notice I say "a" and not "the hitman") does abduct Samantha and in an "odd couple road trip" of traditional cinematic style, takes her off to Las Vegas. Needless to say that this job also starts to go wrong for Jerry and it's not too long before Samantha and her "guide" also have to travel to Mexico to dig Jerry out of his latest hole.

I was quite interested to read that Brad Pitt didn't really want to do this film and it was only contractual restrictions that forced him into it. His performance, whilst not being awful by a long chalk, is never the less, under par and more than a little half-hearted. Julia Roberts on the other hand seems to have great fun with her role and revels in many of her scenes. Perhaps it's because she has to play off James Gandolfini for so much of it and he really puts in a performance that all but steals the show. There's still time for Gene Hackman to pop up at the end and round things off to a nice happy end.

Not the best thriller or best black comedy I've seen but there are several really good one-off scenes that are worth watching the film for.