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THE MATADOR A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
Even if Julian Noble is a big believer in bullets and broads, Pierce Brosnan's character in THE MATADOR is light-years away from James Bond. A "facilitator of fatalities," a.k.a. a hit man, Julian only works corporate gigs, financed by the infamous Mr. Stick. But, like an airline pilot with failing eyesight, Julian is hampered in his work by his increasing propensity to lose his nerve at critical moments on the job.
Although THE MATADOR is written and directed by Richard Shepard (MEXICO CITY), this warmly-inviting black comedy plays like a David Mamet remake of PULP FICTION. The always snappy dialog is illustrated by Julian's description of himself. A grizzled drunk, he thinks that he looks like a "Bangkok whore after the navy just left town." And he does.
When we meet this obnoxious extrovert, Julian is trying his best to make small talk in the sleek bar of a swank Mexico City hotel. Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), the only other person at the bar, tries to share in the conversation but has great difficulties. A business man who has had a string of bad luck from the death of his only son to an errant tree that recently remodeled his kitchen during a storm, Danny finds Julian's complete lack of social graces very off-putting.
The good-spirited film features plenty of whimsical music to remind you not to take it too seriously, no matter what the implied body count might be. Danny, like the audience, is ultimately charmed by Julian, even if he is a killer. A typical scene occurs a year after their initial meeting when Julian shows up late one night during the Christmas season. As Bean (Hope Davis), Danny's wife, eagerly asks to see Julian's gun and as Julian puts an old record of "In The Wee Hours Of The Morning" on their turntable, we aren't sure where the story is headed.
Filled with Julian's guide to how to be a successful assassin -- "Don't get caught. It sucks." and "Show and tell is for sissies" -- we enjoy the crazy journey he takes us on. So does Danny, as is evidenced by his growing of a mustache identical to Julian's. As Julian's career winds down, we aren't quite sure how the story will conclude. Will the bad guys get what they deserve? And, which guys are the bad guys anyway?
THE MATADOR runs a fast 1:36. It is rated R for "strong sexual content and language" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the Silicon Valley, it is showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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