This is a movie I thought I’d hate. In general, I abhor the cutsey, Julia Roberts movies that have her pinned in some dysfunctional relationship with Hollywood’s leading man of the moment. She’s in another dysfunctional relationship here, but instead, The Mexican actually limits the onscreen "together" time with Roberts and Pitt. Because of that, I believe this to be a much better movie than it would have been if this were done like Notting Hill or Runaway Bride.

Brad Pitt plays Jerry. He’s a low-level errand-boy in the crime world. He’s not very good at what he does and knows it. Jerry’s content to keep doing what he’s doing, but in order to please his demanding girlfriend, Samantha (Roberts), he decides to leave the crime world. Even though he fouls up most of his tasks, however, his bosses won’t let him leave. Instead, they want him to go to Mexico to retrieve a legendary pistol and bring it back to the U.S. He refuses, based on the fact that it will destroy his relationship, but they threaten to kill him. He tries to explain this to Samantha, but she won’t hear of it. Instead, she leaves him. What transpires is an entertaining escapade as the not-too-bright Jerry tries to make his way through Mexico.

The acting glue that holds this film together is not really Roberts and Pitt, instead, it is James Gandolfini who plays Leroy. Leroy is brought in to kidnap Samantha and hold her hostage to ensure Jerry follows through with his task. He’s a cold-blooded killer with a conscience, and a special secret. It’s actually Gandolfini’s onscreen dialogue and relationship with Roberts that makes The Mexican more interesting.

The Mexican is a cute, date-type movie worth a *** rating. It doesn’t break any new ground, but it is worth seeing in the theaters, or catching it on video.

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