2001
Character: Jerry Welbach
Release Date: 2 March 2001
Directed By: Gore Verbinski
Written By: J.H. Wyman
Genre: Action/Adventure/Comedy/Crime/Romance
Tagline: Love with the safety off
MPAA Rating: R
Produced by: DreamWorks SKG, Newmarket Capital Group, Art In Motion, Lawrence Bender Productions, Pistolero Productions LLC
Distributed by: DreamWorks Distribution
Budget: $57,000,000 (estimated)
Filming Dates: 17 April 2000 – July 2000
Cast:
…Brad Pitt…Jerry Welbach
…Julia Roberts…Samantha Barzel
…James Gandolfini…Winston Baldry
…J.K. Simmons…Ted Slocum
…Bob Balaban…Bernie Nayman
…Michael Cerveris…Frank
…Gene Hackman…Arnold Margolese
Filming Locations:
Belz Factory Outlet Mall – 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Los Angeles, California, USA
McCarran International Airport – 5757 Wayne Newton Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Summerlin Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Tunnel Ogarrio, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA
Synopsis:
Jerry Welbach is given two ultimatums. His mob boss wants him to travel to Mexico to get a priceless antique pistol called “The Mexican” or he will suffer the consequences. The other ultimatum comes from his girlfriend Samantha, who wants him to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures that being alive, although in trouble with his girlfriend is the better alternative so he heads south of the border. Finding the pistol is easy but getting it home is a whole other matter. The pistol supposedly carries a curse – a curse Jerry is given every reason to believe, especially when Samantha is held hostage by the gay hit man Leroy to ensure the safe return of the pistol.
Trivia & Facts:
• James Gandolfini reportedly lost 35 pounds for his role as Winston, all of which he had to gain back before shooting re-commenced on the upcoming season of “The Sopranos” (1999) because producer David Chase believe that ‘The Sopranos’ audience would not like a “skinny” Tony (Soprano).
• It was on the set of this movie that Julia Roberts met her husband, cameraman Daniel Moder.
From the gallery
Quotes
Jerry: I need a lift in your el truck-o to the next town-o!
Car Thief: If you’re going to kill me at least tell me who it is that’s going to send me to God. Tell me!
Jerry: Look, I’m not going to kill you. But I am going to have to shoot you.
Car Thief: But why, sir? Why?
Jerry: Why? Why? Because you stole from me and you know about the pistol and you’re just gonna steal again and I can’t have you coming back in the situation like a fly in the ointment.
Car Thief: No, I won’t be a fly! You’ll never see me again.
Jerry: Look, you’re getting shot and that’s it. It will take you time to get to the next town especially if you’re limping.
Car Thief: Wait! Wait! What? Limping? Can’t you just tie me up some more? I mean, fuck, you shoot me? Tie me!
Jerry: Yeah. I don’t have a rope.
Car Thief: So you shoot me?
Jerry: It’s the American way.
Samantha: I have to ask you a question. It’s a good one so think about it. If two people love each other, but they just can’t seem to get it together, when do you get to that point of enough is enough?
Jerry: Never.
Jerry: “Elllll-Camino!”
Samantha: All right. Jerry, I want you to acknowledge that my needs means nothing to you and you’re a selfish prick and a liar.
Jerry: Oh, my God!
Samantha: Jerry, acknowledge.
Jerry: I… Ok. I will acknowledge that I promised to go to Vegas with you. But now we’re just slightly delayed. If you want to construe my wanting to stay alive as being selfish, well, then okay. But I have every intention of going with you because your needs are very important to me, sweetheart. Come on. Look at my all my stuff here, all over the pavement. Come on, baby? Huh? What do you say? Ok?
Samantha: I’m going with or without you, Jerry. What’s it gonna be? A bastard!
Jerry: A bastard. What happened to, uh, “sweetheart” and “big love” and all those things you called me in the bedroom last night?
Samantha: The only thing I’m interested in calling you, Jerry, is a cab!
Jerry: You’re missing the grand design here! If I don’t go, I’m dead! Yeah. And it’s a little hard to carry on a relationship when I’m stuffed with straw and formaldehyde.
Jerry: I don’t know what it takes! I’m new in the fuck you business.
Jerry: Yeah…”you’re just doing your job…”
Ted: Hey, I do what I have to do, okay?
Jerry: Would you listen to yourself? You sound like Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes!
[Imitating]
Jerry: “I know nothing! Nothing!”
Jerry: Baby, what are you doing?
Samantha: You said this was your last job, Jerry!
Jerry: What do you want me to say? I’m sorry, I can’t, the old lady wants me to quit. Fuck off.
Samantha: Yes! Something like that. Like exactly!
Jerry: I’m not in insurance, sweetie!
Jerry: Just one more word Sam, and I’ll crash THIS FUCKING CAR!
Leroy: I know we’re all a little grouchy right now. We’ll get something to eat, you’ll get the pistol and then we’ll go our separate ways.
Samantha: Really separate ways.
Jerry: Don’t start, Sam.
Samantha: Shut up. I’ll start because I have the right…
Jerry: Why do you do that? Do not tell me to shut up. We had an agreement, remember?
Samantha: Shut up.
Leroy: Why don’t we all shut up a bit?
Jerry: I swear to God, I will crash this fucking car right now.
Leroy: Jerry, don’t do that.
Jerry: I will. One more word out of you. Another word, Sam. One more word. I swear to fucking God.
Samantha: Naugahyde.
Jerry: All right.
Samantha: Do you have any idea what I have been through these last few days?
Jerry: Oh, Sam, whatever you’ve been through multiply that by 1000 and you’ll have a vague conception of where I’m at.
Samantha: Oh! Oh, isn’t that typical, Jerry? It’s all a competition. Tit for tat, tat for tit.
Jerry: Stop yelling, for Christ sake! Listen, how are you? Are you ok? Are you all right? Where are you?
Samantha: Toluca airport, Jerry. And things are shitty, really shitty!
Jerry: Could you turn that down? You don’t even speak Spanish.
Samantha: Emotion transcends language.
Jerry: Hola!
Mexican Policeman: Is this your dog?
Jerry: Uh, sort of…
Mexican Policeman: He does have a personality, that cetainly counts for something.
Jerry: Yeah, good guy…
Mexican Policeman: This your car?
Jerry: Yeah, it’s a rental… I’m an American.
Mexican Policeman: No shit?
Jerry: Yeah.
Mexican Policeman: Really?
Jerry: Yeah, yeah…
Mexican Policeman: I am a Mexican.
Jerry: [pause and nod] Cool.
External Links
…Official website
…IMDB
SB Store (US)
…The Mexican (DVD)
SB Store (UK)
…The Mexican (DVD)
