The Matador
The Matador Reviews
I have been stoked about The Matador ever since I saw the clip featuring a sleezy Pierce Brosnan walking through a lobby in his underwear and boots; great combo! Other than that, this film looks like one of the few black comedies that can attract a larger audience. Well, let's see what the latest reviews seem to think:
ReelViews
It's not hard to be enthusiastic about The Matador, an uncommon buddy film starring Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear. The movie has a nicely modulated mix of comedy and pathos, but succeeds as much because of the two lead performances as Richard Shepard's writing and directing. This is an audience-pleaser through-and-through, but one wonders whether the title (which is appropriate but not catchy) may fail to entice viewers. In fact, it may keep some sensitive animal-lovers away.
Together, Danny and Julian make an appealing pair - something that's mandatory for the story to work. They're an odd couple, to be sure, but each fills a need for the other. It can be difficult to find the right mix of comedy and drama in a movie of this nature, but Shepard does a solid job. There's nothing edgy or groundbreaking about The Matador, but it's funny, touching, and ultimately endearing - and it's tough to ask more of this sort of film.
Rolling Stone
Take that 007 job and shove it. If Pierce Brosnan can be as roaringly fierce and funny as he is as Julian Noble, a hit man suffering a meltdown, then who needs James Bond? Writer-director Richard Shepard gives Brosnan his meatiest role ever, and he digs in with relish. The sight of a drunken Brosnan walking through a hotel lobby in nothing but cowboy boots and Speedos is time-capsule-worthy. Julian meets Denver exec Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) at a bar in Mexico City, a place where Julian insists the margaritas taste best -- and also the cock. The gay joke flips out Danny, but the two become friends -- an odd coupling that lets Brosnan and Kinnear lob comic fastballs. But Julian is falling apart. This top "facilitator of fatalities" can't squeeze the trigger. How Danny, with a wife (Hope Davis) back home, manages to figure in Julian's rehab as a killer is a surprise no review should reveal. Just sit back and enjoy the fun.
So far The Matador has faired very well when it comes to winning over the critics. Expect a few more early reviews to come as the film approaches its pushed release date.
The Matador has a limited [LA, NY] on December 23rd, wide release [10 biggest markets] on January 6th, and then a full release on January 20th.
For more movie stills, trailers, clips and movie info, go to The
Matador Movie Page.
Stay tuned for updates.
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