Brad And Julia's caper

Sukanya Verma

All that The Mexican has going for it are Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts.

But then again. The Mexican has the duo sharing screen space together for a mere twenty minutes.

Unlike Proof Of Life, where the romance angle between Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe looked contrived, the story of The Mexican's pair doesn't intrude the film's pace.

The Mexican has four main protagonists: Jerry (Brad Pitt), a clumsy, messy, impulsive mob bearer. Samantha (Julia Roberts), his short-tempered, paranoid and at times overbearing girlfriend.

Jerry's boss, who wants him to retrieve a priceless, albeit cursed, gun called The Mexican (an artistically crafted pistol). He summons Jerry, who agrees, even though he realises it means getting dumped by Samantha.

At her wit's end, Samantha takes the first flight to Las Vegas to fulfil her dream of becoming a croupier. Little does she know that Jerry's enemies are lurking around. She is held hostage by Leroy (James Gandolfini), a bald, French-bearded, baddie with a good heart

Meanwhile, Jerry struggles to find an El trucko in El towno in the land of burritos and nachos.

When not bumping the notorious native thugs off, he also discovers that the gun has a long and tragic (read hilarious), history behind it.

Samantha, gregarious that she is, has not only managed to win Leroy over but also plays cupid for him and another guy they bump in some cheap motel. Yep, Leroy's gay.

Is The Mexican finally relieved of its curse? Find out!

Gore Verbinski has always used good actors. Take his earlier crazy comedy Mouse Hunt with Nathan Lane and Christopher Lambert, for instance. Hence, the presence of Pitt and Roberts seems completely justified, star status notwithstanding.

The stars come up with an inspiring act. Brad Pitt does full justice to his puzzled, limp Jerry. Julia Roberts, besides flashing her 100-watt smile, comes up with a totally uninhibited performance.

Another ace is James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano of Sopranos), unveiling the vulnerability of his character beautifully.

J H Whyman's subtle, yet dippy, humour stresses that comedy is not just an excuse for gags and buffoonery -- it can be simplistic yet amusing.

Another asset to The Mexican is undoubtedly its music by Alan Silvestri (What Lies Beneath, The Mummy Returns), which perfectly blends with the film's Mexican surroundings.

One must not fail to mention the smooth camerawork of Dariusz Wolski (The Crow, Dark City)

Watch The Mexican with an open mind for its lighthearted frolic -- not just Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts.

CREDITS
Cast: Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini, J.K.Simmons and Bob Balaban.
Director: Gore Verbinski
Producer: John Baldecchi and Lawrence Bender
Writer: J.H Whyman
Director of Photography: Dariusz Wolski
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Official website of The Mexican