The Matador

Review:

Director: Richard Shepard

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis

From director Richard Shepard comes a surprise hit of 2005, and certainly the most unique you will see in a long time. When a hapless travelling salesman (Kinnear) and a vulgar hitman going through a midlife crisis (Brosnan) meet in a bar in Mexico, their chance encounter triggers a series of events that neither could have predicted and leaves them with a lasting bond.

It is hard to define this film; it is certainly a comedy, but is more darkly funny than anything else and has aspects of a thriller and a buddy-movie. Most impressive is Pierce Brosnan's lead performance which takes him a million miles from James Bond; he's more sleazy scoundrel than suave and has a problem with his drink rather than coolly knocking back martinis. His hitman is completely untrustworthy, his jokes crass and always hooker-related, and has an eye for underage girls. Yet somehow remains totally appealing, even when he walks through a hotel lobby wearing just black boots, Speedos, sunglasses and a moustache. Greg Kinnear and Hope Davis as the loving couple whose life he crashes equally hit the mark, with whom you don't know whether to laugh or cry. This isn't a film for great social or political messages; it is however full of surprises and will keep you guessing throughout. Successfully shedding 007 in seedy style, this is worth seeing for Brosnan's performance alone...Or Kinnear's...Or Davis' ('Is that a .38?' she flirts)...if you like your films dark and intelligent, check this out.

Hannah Upton