Trailer
Plot summary
Jerry Welbach has been running errands for the imprisoned mob boss Arnold Margolese to pay off a debt. After he bungles what should have been his final job, Margolese's second-in-command, Bernie Nayman, orders him to Mexico to collect an antique pistol, the Mexican, from a man named Beck. For Samantha Barzel, Jerry's girlfriend, the demand is the last straw, and she leaves for Las Vegas. In Mexico, Beck recounts the gun's history; a stray round from celebratory gunfire then kills him, and Jerry's car is driven off with the pistol and the body inside. On the way to Las Vegas, a well-dressed hitman tries to grab Samantha, and a second gunman shoots him and takes her, saying he has been paid to keep her until Jerry hands over the gun.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Mexican (2001)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The script was originally meant for an independent film without major movie stars, but Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt had for some time been looking for a project to do together, and after Roberts introduced the script to Pitt they both agreed to star in it.
- Kevin Reynolds and David Fincher were both considered to direct the film; Reynolds turned it down because the cast was not confirmed, while Fincher was unavailable owing to prior commitments with the release of Fight Club.
- It was Roberts who suggested casting James Gandolfini, in what went on to be regarded as one of his greatest roles.
- The actors Ben Stiller and Meg Ryan had also expressed an interest in playing the lead roles in the film.
- The Mexican was filmed in Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí, and at Toluca International Airport in Toluca, State of Mexico, as well as various locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California.
