The Mexican Details

Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt simultaneously on screen — every studio's dream, surely? But The Mexican is not the expected mainstream fare and audiences wishing to see the two A-list stars sizzle for more than two hours will be disappointed to find they only spend 15 minutes together on screen. However, this offbeat comedy thriller does have its merits: an ace script and quirkily appealing performances from the two leads. Pitt is a useless Mafia appendage, trying to extricate himself from the mob by doing one last job: retrieving an antique pistol (the “Mexican” of the title). His girlfriend, Roberts, isn't too chuffed and has been dragging him to couple therapy in order to encourage him to prioritise her over his petty crime dealings. So when he goes on his errand to Mexico, she heads for freedom in Vegas but is kidnapped by James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) to ensure Pitt will return, gun in hand. The relationship between Gandolfini and Roberts forms the heart of the film and the film is more interesting for it, and director Gore Verbinski proves he can handle humans as well as he dealt with small furry animals in Mousehunt.

Interminable and dreary thriller, a mishmash of violence, romance and comedy; there is no spark between the two leads, which may be why they're kept apart for much of the movie.