The Mexican (2001)

Movie Memory Machine

"Somewhere beyond the recesses of time and space, two podcasters pick up transmissions of movies forgotten but not gone. Welcome to Movie Memory Machine."

Episode Description

In this episode of Movie Memory Machine, Landen and Truman take a wild ride through Gore Verbinski's 2001 genre-blending flick, The Mexican. Starring Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and James Gandolfini, this mix of crime, comedy, and romance follows a cursed gun with a mind of its own, a hapless Brad Pitt getting in over his head, and Julia Roberts stealing the show on a road trip with a hitman. With its oddball pacing, colorful characters, and unforgettable El Camino moments, is this movie truly a forgotten gem or just another rental store relic? Find out in this hilarious breakdown.

Major Cast and Crew

• Director: Gore Verbinski
• Writer: J.H. Wyman
• Main Cast:
  • Brad Pitt as Jerry Welbach
  • Julia Roberts as Samantha Barzel
  • James Gandolfini as Leroy
  • Bob Balaban as Bernie Nayman
  • J.K. Simmons as Ted Slocum
  • David Krumholtz as Beck
  • Gene Hackman as Arnold Margolese

Film Synopsis

Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is a hapless errand boy for a crime syndicate with one last chance to clear his debts: retrieve a priceless antique pistol called "The Mexican." Along the way, everything goes hilariously wrong, from local fiestas with stray bullets to surprise friendships between his girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) and a philosophical hitman (James Gandolfini). A tale of fate, curses, and miscommunication, this quirky blend of genres is as unpredictable as the gun itself.

Episode Highlights

• The "luck vs. fate" debate: Is Jerry cursed, or is he just a screw-up?
• Why Brad Pitt’s rendition of the "El Camino song" deserves its own Grammy.
• James Gandolfini’s unforgettable performance as a hitman with a tender side.
• The curse of The Mexican: What makes this gun so deadly—and so intriguing?
• Revisiting Gore Verbinski's pre-Pirates of the Caribbean directorial style.

What's your favorite Brad Pitt performance, and how does The Mexican stack up? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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