Rises above its budgetary limitations to produce a flowing and enjoyable low-budget film

bob the moo

When rival Moco's attempt on his life fails badly, Azul decides to leave his jail cell and claim revenge. Little is known about him as he heads away from the jail but they know his aim as he is carrying a guitar case full of guns and is dressed all in black. At the same time as Azul kills the first of Moco's men, a young mariachi drifts into town looking for steady work in the town's many bars. Unfortunately for him he is carrying a guitar case and is also dressed mostly in black. Already down on his luck in terms of career, the young man suddenly finds himself with a case of mistaken identity and is the target of Moco's armed gangs.

Unashamedly low-budget, Robert Rodriguez's debut feature film is a great example of how to produce a winning low budget film. The plot is a simple case of mistaken identity that is played out with a good pace and action that lacks multi-million explosions but still has enough about it to be exciting and engaging. The writing is not the best, but then that is not what made this film so famous, no what did was Rodriguez's unique style as director. He takes the simple story and injects it with humour and energy that make it much better than the budget or the written script would have suggested. He borrows heavily from others (Sam Rami is one of the more obvious) but it doesn't feel like he has stolen anything, just used it to do his own thing.

The cast aren't that great though, and the method of dubbing everything is pretty evident in most scenes (but not too bad for me personally because I was reading the subtitles anyway). Gallardo is solid lead but lacks his own style and charisma and it is obvious throughout that the visual style and comic air to the film is carrying him. Gomez is OK but not pretty or a presence enough to do it for me I'm afraid. Marquardt is a bit too hammy and lacking in teeth for the main villain, but Martinez's Azul is a big man and fits the bill well.

Overall this is an energetic film that works well despite the limitations of the budget and cast. You do have to forgive it some things but it is easily quite fun and flows forward well and is certainly worth a look and infinity better than the big-budget excesses of its second sequel – Once Upon A Time In Mexico.

score /10

bob the moo 1 May 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1356739/