THE MEXICAN
US 2001, CERT. 15
Director: GORE VERBINSKI
Star Rating * * *1/2
 To
pay off a debt to a gangster, small-time loser Jerry (Brad
Pitt) is ordered to travel to Mexico to retrieve a gun. For
his girlfriend Sam (Julia Roberts) this is the breaking point
in their failing relationship, so she leaves to start a new
life for herself in Las Vegas. In Mexico, Jerry runs into some
trouble and is arrested. The gun - an ornate and antique
pistol called 'The Mexican' - is much sought after, and
several groups of people seem determined to stop Jerry from
delivering it as agreed. A mysterious hitman, Leroy (James
Gandolfini) kidnaps Sam in Vegas, hoping to lure Jerry back to
hand over the pistol.
For a Hollywood production,
this comedy thriller is surprisingly offbeat and enjoyable.
The dialogue is sharp, the cinematography impressive, the
whole is stylish and witty. In structure, the plot is vaguely
reminiscent of Lock, Stock, and is just as cleverly executed.
Camera work and soundtrack are also reminiscent of the Guy
Ritchie classic, although this production has enough of its
own original features to stand alone and succeed. Brad Pitt
puts in a fine performance, but it's James Gandolfini (aka
Tony from the C4 TV series The Sopranos) who shines as Leroy,
an unusual hitman.
This film alas does have one
major flaw: Julia Roberts. Not only is she seriously miscast
in the lead female role, but the obvious lack of chemistry
between her and co-star Pitt taints the whole production.
The Mexican would have been
vastly improved had Julia Roberts not been in it. Even if
she'd managed to expand her limited range of expressions:
doe-eyed; puzzled; grinning; shouting, this would have helped.
A more competent and convincing actress might have allowed
this brave effort of a film to transcend its
financier-orientated Hollywood casting and soar to the heights
of originality, intelligence and wit it so deserves. But
Roberts isn't up to it. And, sadly, as long as Hollywood is
willing to award an Oscar for lookin' mighty purrty and
hollerin' at men occasionally, this sorry situation is
unlikely to change.
Odeon from Apr 27
THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB
US 2001, CERT. 15
Director: GREG BERLANTI
Star Rating * * *
A group of twenty-something gay
men socialise and discuss their relationships in the
palm-shaded oasis of West Hollywood. (So much for the plot
synopsis.) The stars are: Zach Braff, Dean Cain, Andrew
Keegan, Nia Long and John Mahoney.
Writer and director Greg
Berlanti is co-executive producer of the TV series Dawson's
Creek, and this tells. The Broken Hearts Club is an
entertaining and well-made romantic drama but, as with nearly
all 'circle of friends' ensemble pieces, it seems better
suited to television or the written word and therefore lacks
impact on the big screen. Given the gay aspect, the West Coast
setting and the wordiness of the script, comparisons are bound
to be drawn with Armistead Maupin's TV series Tales of The
City. There are many similarities - the characters are
well-drawn, the LA lifestyle is honestly (if romantically)
portrayed, and the quality of the acting is, on the whole,
high. A good friendship-relationship themed film, but cinema
is a visual medium and - apart from a colourful collection of
Hawaiian shirts at a funeral - the writer-director has failed
to develop its obvious potential. www.thebrokenheartsclub.com
Duke of York's from May 11
copyright New Insight 2001
|
