This 2005 black comedy serves as a vehicle for erstwhile (then current) James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan to distance himself from his defining role by parodying the spy. He is the middle-aged, alcoholic hitman, complete with comedy moustache, who finds himself in a mid-life crisis, unable to kill with the coldness he once had. Greg Kinnear is a nervy businessman who encounters Brosnan on a trip in Mexico City, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship.
Written and directed by Richard Shepard, the film's plot is rather clichéd. Its difficult not to cringe when you realise that Brosnan's character has turned up on Kinnear's doorstep halfway through, leading to a predictable fish-out-of-water farce in which Kinnear's shy wife (Hope Davis) reveals a desire for guns. There are also a couple of twists towards the end, pretty much all unfortunately predictable, and the spattering of irony doesn't really distract from the gaping holes in the plot. For my money, you either need to embrace the cliché, or avoid it all together.
Despite all these (major) problems, the film is actually a real treat to watch, almost entirely due to the two male leads, and the bizarre undercurrent of homo-eroticism in their relationship. Pierce Brosnan is amusing as the loser hitman with no friends, and shows once again how underused he was in the Bond franchise (check out The Thomas Crown Affair or The Tailor Of Panama). Similarly, Greg Kinnear demands more attention from Hollywood. A previous Oscar nominee, its something of a mystery as to why his profile is so low, and he proves himself as a good comic straight man here.
Ultimately, The Matador is not essential viewing, but is an enjoyable slice of rather brainless comedy, greatly improved by some fine comic acting.
3/5
Written and directed by Richard Shepard, the film's plot is rather clichéd. Its difficult not to cringe when you realise that Brosnan's character has turned up on Kinnear's doorstep halfway through, leading to a predictable fish-out-of-water farce in which Kinnear's shy wife (Hope Davis) reveals a desire for guns. There are also a couple of twists towards the end, pretty much all unfortunately predictable, and the spattering of irony doesn't really distract from the gaping holes in the plot. For my money, you either need to embrace the cliché, or avoid it all together.
Despite all these (major) problems, the film is actually a real treat to watch, almost entirely due to the two male leads, and the bizarre undercurrent of homo-eroticism in their relationship. Pierce Brosnan is amusing as the loser hitman with no friends, and shows once again how underused he was in the Bond franchise (check out The Thomas Crown Affair or The Tailor Of Panama). Similarly, Greg Kinnear demands more attention from Hollywood. A previous Oscar nominee, its something of a mystery as to why his profile is so low, and he proves himself as a good comic straight man here.
Ultimately, The Matador is not essential viewing, but is an enjoyable slice of rather brainless comedy, greatly improved by some fine comic acting.
3/5
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