The Mexican

26 Replies

It’s been a long road back from back surgery, and I’m not out of the woods yet, I still have IMG_7429.JPGhealing to do, but the minute I had the tubes finally detached from me and I tasted a little freedom, Sean and I were leaving on a jet plane, headed for sunny Mexico.

One of my favourite offbeat comedies is The Mexican – totally incidentally, I’m sure. In it, Brad Pitt has shit luck. He’s the lowest rung of organized crime and is being sent to Mexico, against his will, “for one last job” to pick up a beautiful antique gun that just happens to be cursed. His girlfriend, Julia Roberts, is tired of this shit. She’s tired of her relationship going according to some mob boss’s whim. So they break up, profusely. He goes to Mexico and puts on a pretty good gringo act, and she drives to Vegas in her Bug, a woman scorned. Until she meets James Gandolfini, who kidnaps and holds her ansom for the ancient pistol.

I’m totally charmed by this movie every time I watch it. I love how Brad Pitt and JK Simmons are openly mocked by the Mexicans. I’m positively tickled by it. And I adore the chemistry between Roberts and Gandolfini. It’s not to be missed.

The Mexico in The Mexican is not the one tourists normally see. It’s dirt floors and seedy bars and low riders. It may be a Mexico that only exists in movies. Sean and I were in need of some rest and restoration, so opted for the good old all-inclusive resort side of Mexico (which is not real Mexico either, but it sure tastes pleIMG_7548asant), with the cheerful Mariachi bands and the frozen margaritas with salty rims.
We stayed on the Mayan Riviera and sunk our toes into the hot, white sand. We got uneven sunburns from underneath palapas. We renewed our vows beside an ancient temple, a ruin on a rocky island just metres from the beach. It was beautiful, as Mexico always is.

26 thoughts on “The Mexican”

  1. elisa ruland

    Oh, gee, I have some catching up to do. I didn’t realize you’d had surgery. Tubes, ugh. I hope everything is going smoothly and that you’re comfortable at least. Rest, relax, and watch movies! Loved the Mexican.

    Like

    Reply ↓
  3. Carrie Rubin

    Sounds like a much-deserved and much-needed trip. Glad you had such a wonderful time. I haven’t seen this movie. I could use a little Mexican sunshine right about now. Pretty cold where I’m at. Brr.

    Like

    Reply ↓
  6. ridicuryder

    Newly-Vowed Jay & Sean,

    I don’t really know how I feel about Mexico and I sorta like that. I loved The Mexican…the vibe…the weirdness…shots fired into the air!

    Cheers,
    Mark
    p.s. Swimming is kick-ass for core-strengthening with back issues…go really slowly at first and really really alternate – 2 lengths freestyle – 2 lengths back stroke – 2 lengths breast stroke…happy summer Jay!

    Like

    Reply ↓
  9. joel watches movies

    i’ve heard a few bad things about the mexican, but i personally really enjoyed it! had a real wacky dark comedy vibe, reminded me a lot of the coen brothers’ later “burn after reading”, actually, but replacing a disk with a gun. pitt’s character is remarkably similar.. anyways, here’s hoping your recovery goes smoothly from here on out!

    Like

    Reply ↓
  20. Divorce With Me

    This makes me sooo happy to read and see! I hope you came back thoroughly refreshed! Mexico has lots of beauty and is not all the crazy cancun crap trap tourism wants you to believe. Renewing your vows here after such a serious surgery sounds perfect. ❤️ Congrats to you guys for getting it right. Xoxo

    Like

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment