Denverites Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) and his wife Bean (Hope Davis) have had some rough times with the death of their young son, the loss of a significant job, attempting to start up a new business, and, at last, a lightning-struck tree crashing into their kitchen just as Danny is leaving for an important business trip to Mexico City. He must go. He must land this contract if his business is to be viable. While drinking a margarita in an stark, sterile hotel bar in Mexico City, Danny meets Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) and is at once both fascinated and repulsed by this man. Julian seems smooth as they come but it's revealed over the course of the next day that he has no permanent home, no family, no friends, travels worldwide from one bar and bordello to another, and makes his living as a hit man (or as Julian prefers to call himself: "a corporate fatality facilitator"). While attending a bullfight, Danny gets an idea of what Julian's work entails. He's intrigued but also realizes the danger and "badness" of it all. Six months pass. Julian is having problems with his job. He's distracted and failed an assignment in Manila. He's lost his edge and focus. He's burned out. But he needs to keep working and convinces his "contractor" to use him again. Again he fails. Julian suddenly shows up in the middle of a wintery night at Danny and Bean's front door. Danny's told Bean all about him and at first they are apprehensive but they invite Julian to stay anyhow as they get more and more involved with him and this dangerous life he's lived. When Julian reveals to Danny that there is now a contract on Julian's life, Danny knows that as Julian's only friend, he must help save the man's life. The tale takes some interesting turns from there and really ended up being a good story. It's really more of a character study of Julian -- and well done on many levels. I've never really been a fan of Pierce Brosnan. I've seen him in some things in the past but just tended to avoid most of his films as I didn't care for him much as an actor beyond that certain look and sophistication. But this is an all-together different kind of role for him and one that makes me hope he gets offered more juicy parts in the future.Read full review
Julian is an international hit man, and always lived life alone, this year in mexico he is wished a happy birthday like its nothing by his "handler" while being pressured to push a job date to today, even julian forgot its his own birthday.... so tonight he decides to try and make a few calls to some old friends and possibly strike up a conversation, hang up after hang up he accepts that he is alone on his birthday.... until... he runs into danny a man in mexico for a business proposition, very friendly and overly sociable, danny starts up a conversation with julian and of course julian has mixed feelings, he is used to throwing in conversation stoppers, and with his job he also feels paranoid, so all though he is usualy a savy guy he messes up this night and is very inconsiderate and rude to danny and sends danny running.... julian really wants a friend on his birthday and really wanted to make it up to danny so following danny he overheares that danny has a few more days in mexico so julian begs danny for forgiveness and then gives danny the experience he will never forget!!! but danny also gives julian a night he will never forget, since julian has not been able to open up to people, everything is a secret and kept inside, he never gets emotionaly attached, but danny makes him feel overzealous and comfortable. after parting julian is suffering physcological effects of his job, and even a mid life crisis of doubts.... so now 6months later he has no one to turn to but this one friend he made for one night named danny, he has no friends in the world so surprises danny with just showing up at his doorstep.... the story is very different, i really liked it, and its worth while!!!Read full review
This movie is good fun if you don't take it too serious. It's not a thinking man's movie, nor is it anything original or groundbreaking. The simple premise is that a hitman suffering from anxiety attacks meets a regular-guy businessman in Mexico City, and they realize they can help each other out. I enjoy the chemistry between Brosnan and Kinnear, and I would be tempted to say that this movie is quite often (much like the Sean Connery Bond films) carried by the charisma of the actors, and the snappy dialogue they've been given, more than an innovative, or even overly interesting, plot. It's definitely a lot of fun, though. It might be a little 'adult' for the kiddies at times, so keep that in mind. Either way, I would definitely recommend the film.Read full review
I've seen Pierce in the bond movies but The Matador takes the cake. Pierce plays a vigorous hitman who develops performance anxiety and he is unable to complete a mission he has. He can no longer take a life and his employers want to take him out because he breached his contract. In the midst of all his concerns he, forges a relationship with Danny a businessman he meets while in Mexico to complete his next contract. The movie has great action, comedy, phenomenal acting and an original plot. Pierce nailed this role and Greg is hilarious. The Matador is a must see irreverent comedy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great movie, plays perfectly.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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