The Mexican

The Mexican arrives as a comedy directed by Gore Verbinski, and its first strength is a clear sense of purpose. Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts give The Mexican a recognisable human centre before the larger mechanics take over. The central situation in The Mexican comes into focus without a long explanation: A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways. Across its 2h 3m running time, Gore Verbinski keeps The Mexican unable to turn workable ingredients into a stable rhythm.

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The narrative of The Mexican works from a simple but productive collision between Mexican and the central character. Through Brad Pitt, The Mexican keeps that premise rooted in a reaction the audience can understand. J.H. Wyman introduces an important relationship at a useful point, giving The Mexican a reason to change pace without abandoning its emotional line. The handling of a difficult choice is not equally fresh, yet The Mexican usually earns attention through clarity rather than surprise alone.

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The Mexican uses its comedy framework to consider embarrassment, status and the gap between confidence and reality. For the character played by Brad Pitt, that idea gives The Mexican stakes beyond the next immediate obstacle. The recurring pressure of the central character prevents the theme in The Mexican from feeling like decoration added after the story. Gore Verbinski makes The Mexican more thoughtful whenever the implications remain inside action and reaction.

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The directorial personality of The Mexican comes from Gore Verbinski remaining unable to turn workable ingredients into a stable rhythm when the premise invites excess. Within The Mexican, Gore Verbinski repeatedly favours readable choices over attention seeking flourishes. That discipline explains why the premise retains appeal even when the finished film struggles in The Mexican rather than appearing only in isolated scenes. Where The Mexican becomes less convincing, explanation repeatedly takes the place of discovery, and the loss of control is noticeable without becoming fatal.

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The acting in The Mexican is anchored by Brad Pitt, who treats even functional scenes as opportunities to reveal character. Julia Roberts answers that approach with a different energy, giving The Mexican welcome friction whenever the pace begins to settle. Around them, James Gandolfini helps The Mexican feel like an ensemble piece rather than a vehicle with decorative support. Under Gore Verbinski, the performances in The Mexican share a tone even when the writing gives them unequal depth.

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The Mexican gains much of its identity from comic timing built around character, a choice that makes the world readable as well as attractive. The contribution of Dreamworks Pictures allows The Mexican to combine comic timing built around character with a consistent visual language. Within its United States setting, The Mexican makes particularly good use of well judged reactions when the story needs to change scale. Sound and editing preserve the personality of The Mexican by supporting detail instead of announcing every intended response.

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For comedy fans who respond to personality and timing, The Mexican is ultimately a missed opportunity rather than a complete failure. Its most persuasive combination in The Mexican brings Brad Pitt together with well judged reactions under the direction of Gore Verbinski. The fact that explanation repeatedly takes the place of discovery prevents The Mexican from being entirely seamless. Even with that reservation, The Mexican has a clear point of view and enough genuine feeling to justify the journey.