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However, Julian is an aging assassin whose morals and ethics are growing increasingly unstable with each additional assignment. While in Mexico City, he gradually befriends Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), an American whose career and marriage depend on closing a vital business deal, not unlike Julian. Eventually, he lets Danny in on his peculiar occupation, then convinces him with an elaborate demonstration. Danny finds Julian’s work equally intimidating and fascinating, but soon, their respective jobs are completed and they part ways. That is, until Julian shows up on Danny’s Denver doorstep a year later, looking to cash in a favor when his job becomes compromised.

For the most part, this is Brosnan’s movie, although his performance is a borderline novelty of crass dialogue and ribald behavior. Some of his best lines aren’t fit for print, including a most memorable – and colorful – use of alliteration, but at times, it seems that Brosnan is almost trying too hard to purge himself of his Bond image. Nonetheless, when not exaggerating himself, Brosnan creates a substantial and ultimately sympathetic portrait of Julian’s fading livelihood. Kinnear provides a reasonable foil as the timid Danny, and the ever-adorable Hope Davis makes the most of her minor role as his wife, Bean, who becomes captivated by their guest’s occupation, even when his manners fail him.

Writer/director Richard Shepard crafts a decent buddy comedy out of the strong bonding of his leads, but as the film progresses, he attempts to shift the focus on the shared strife of middle age that plagues both men, and the resulting downshift in humor fails to be compensated by the introduction of pathos, leading to a lingering third act. In addition, although each exotic location is filmed with an exciting and vibrant flare, the frequent appearance of intrusive screen-filling titles adds nothing to the picture.

As mild as the story becomes, the entire cast fully flesh out their roles, and by the end, these tangible characters are worthy of a better film. Thanks to its endearing performances, 'The Matador' is still worth a shot, even if it just misses its target.

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originally posted: 01/24/06 21:07:49
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