The Matador

The Matador (2005) was better than I expected, considering the two leads. From what I've seen, Greg Kinnear pretty much plays the same character in every movie he's in, and I expected Pierce Brosnan to be stuck in an acting box after enduring several years as James Bond. Granted, Kinnear was still fairly blah in this movie, but Brosnan was outstanding. He was outstanding because he was perfect playing a character-type that everybody knows in their real life, so everybody can relate to. I'm talking about that type of guy who is outwardly gregarious and fun, but who actually has no friends to speak of. That guy who gets drunk publicly, makes lewd comments and advances, and generally makes an ass out of himself. Yet, in his own way, he's very likeable, and people find it difficult to turn him away when he turns on his hang-dog charm. Oh yeah, and in The Matador, that guy is also a hitman.

Travelling pitchman Danny (Kinnear), recovering from personal tragedy and facing financial ruin, meets aging hitman and ex-cool guy Julian (Brosnan) in a Mexico City bar. Despite Julian's profession and his asshole demeanor, the two men become tentative friends. Fast forward six months. Danny's life has taken a turn for the better. His business is successful and he leads a comfortable life with his wife in Denver. Things have not gone so well for Julian. Years of booze and a transient existence have taken their toll on Julian's psyche, and a couple of botched jobs have made him a marked man. His bosses have given him one more chance, on more hit, to make good and erase the price on his head. There's just one catch: Julian needs an accomplice. With no colleagues or friends to call on, Julian makes his way to Denver to beg Danny to help him.

This film is remarkably funny, mostly propelled by sharp comedic writing and Brosnan's hilarious one-liners. Also, a speedo, some cowboy boots, and a hotel lobby. But when the writing and acting turn to more serious and "touching" moments, it all falls apart. The lines are clunky, the actors are melodramatic, and the music hits on hackneyed swells of strings. It's all a little too saccharine for me. While The Matador's score is only so-so, the soundtrack, including some great transition tracks from The Jam, Tom Jones, and Asia, is pretty good. The film also feels a little short. The intro drags on a little too long, and then suddenly, we're setting up for the climactic final reel. The film would benefit from a little more beef in the middle section. Some fleshing out of the story, maybe some more detail/flashbacks. I don't know. It just needs..... something.

All in all, worth a watch. Wish the writers/director would have stuck to the comedy gold rather than veering into corny emotional content now and again. Wish the middle of the film had some more to it. But very funny, nonetheless.

Storyline & plot: 6/10

Cinematography & effects: 7/10

Music & mood: 6/10

Performances: 7/10

The Reverend says: 7/10