Why a star-studded crime comedy became a showcase for a supporting actor's performance
In short: The 2001 film The Mexican was designed as a vehicle for Hollywood heavyweights Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt. Yet, critics and audiences alike found the leads overshadowed by James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a sensitive hitman became the film's most memorable element, despite the movie's mixed critical reception.
Directed by Gore Verbinski, The Mexican follows a small-time criminal named Jerry, played by Brad Pitt, who is tasked with retrieving a legendary antique pistol from Mexico. His girlfriend, Sam, portrayed by Julia Roberts, finds herself kidnapped by a hitman named Leroy, played by James Gandolfini. The plot weaves together a cursed history of the firearm with a complex web of mob betrayals, as Jerry and Sam navigate separate, dangerous paths toward an eventual reunion.
The film’s production history is as winding as its plot. Originally intended as a modest independent project, the script gained momentum when Roberts and Pitt sought a collaboration. While directors like Kevin Reynolds and David Fincher were considered, Verbinski took the helm. The final product, which grossed $147.8 million worldwide, was met with lukewarm reviews, holding a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics frequently noted that the film’s structure kept its two leads apart for the majority of the runtime, a choice that many felt hindered the romantic chemistry audiences expected.
Despite the mixed consensus, Gandolfini’s performance as the hitman Leroy—a character who bonds with Sam over his sexuality and a shared road trip—is widely cited as the film's standout feature. Reviewers from outlets like The Cedar Rapids Gazette and The Edmonton Journal highlighted that the scenes between Roberts and Gandolfini provided the movie's emotional core. Ultimately, while the film struggled with pacing and narrative focus, it remains a notable example of how a supporting performance can fundamentally shift the legacy of a star-driven production.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Mexican
- Also: Wikidata — The Mexican · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — The Mexican · CC0
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