Mexican, The (2001)
Front Cover Actor
Brad Pitt Jerry Welbach
Julia Roberts Samantha
James Gandolfini Leroy
Bob Balaban Bernie Nayman
J.K. Simmons Ted
David Krumholtz Beck
Richard Coca Car Thief
Michael Cerveris Frank
Sherman Augustus Well Dressed Black Man
Castulo Guerra Joe the Pawnshop Owner
Julia Roberts Samantha Barzel
James Gandolfini Winston Baldry
J.K. Simmons Ted Slocum
Sherman Augustus Leroy the Hitman
Gene Hackman Arnold Margolese
Movie Details
Genre Action; Comedy; Romance; Crime
Director Gore Verbinski
Writer J.H. Wyman
Studio DreamWorks SKG
Language English
Audience Rating R
Running Time 2 hr 3 mins
Country USA
Color Color
Plot
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 . — Mark Deming
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Index 201
In Collection Yes
Purchase Date 8/2/2003
Tape Label 67
Product Details
Format VHS
Region Region 1
Release Date 2003
Nr of Disks/Tapes 1
Links
Internet Movie Database