Bandidas

Western Week part 1

I have to admit, nothing about this film and its cover made me believe it was a good film. In fact, I rented it just to see how bad this film would be and I have to admit that it didn't shake my faith that I had judged this book from its cover well. What I will say, is I am surprised at how close to decent this film actually becomes. It probably helps that it is cowritten and produced by Luc Besson, a man whose varying interests and unstable abilities as director have produced such great films as The Professional to such drivel as The Transporter. His influence and imaginative creativity in the film breathes life into what is otherwise a semi-bad sexploitation western.

The film revolves around two Mexican females played by Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek. The big bad American Bank sends in some goons to procure Mexico's gold who foreclose on Mexico's banks outstanding loans and kill Hayek's father and brutally injure Cruz's father. They decide to team together to strike back at the now brutal American controlled banks by systemmatically robbing them and giving the money back to the people of Mexico. Somewhere in the middle of all this is a bumbling good hearted Steve Zahn as an outspoken proponent of science in its use of analyzing crime scenes and a former bank robber turned trainer played by Sam Shepard. The problem is this, the writers/directors try so hard to make the film an enjoyable mindless romp to produce a mainstream appealing western that it really has no edge. The evil villainous gringo banks and the goons fighting the poor Mexicans gives off Zorro vibes like crazy, not to mention the ridiculous use of the horse which Cruz can communicate through to other horses (Yes, its bizarre, but fun). The interchange and fun banter between Cruz and Hayek who play two girls from different stratums of the monetary disposition is fun but tries to make them the Thelma and Louise or more appropriately the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid of the Mexican west. Why its sad is because at times the script shows some excellent promise and brilliant ideas and funny bits that are then lost in the terribleness of a few lines(I'm sorry, but after showing the training of the buxom lasses at the hands of Sam Shepard for a good 15 minutes to have it reduced to one scene where he says all the training was to keep them around because he liked having them...please). Not to mention the fact that they choose the MOST random moments for certain things, such as after tying up Zahn's character and stripping him of his clothes...? They decide that to get the information they want, they will pose as harlots all around his naked tied up body while a photographer takes pictures and then threaten to send them to his fiance...all while they have a gun. Then after that, they decide to find out if Cruz's character has ever kissed a man by practicing on him and it becomes a running gag of them falling in love or something. It's all VERY bizarre and aimed at titillation and Legally Blonde movie lovers. Especially the creepy and not really frightening villain Jackson. Oh, did I mention there is some subplot of getting help from a local priest? Yea, very stereotyped. What is cool besides the ridiculous tongue in cheek moments of titillation aimed to make men take notice of the two protagonists (Zahn you are lucky ...), is the interesting tricks of Cruz's horse and what it can do, the whole knife thing with Hayek, and several of the awesome actions scenes. Yes, I said awesome. The last big fight between Jackson and the girls is done in complete slo-mo and gives off a brilliant feel of claustrophobia while shooting out in a small car on a train.

As for the acting...well with a generic plot the acting wasn't much better/ Although it is nice to see Hayek and Cruz obviously relishing and enjoying the goofiness of the script and playing off each other. Zahn comes across quite well as the Monk-ish early science detective/ do-gooder. NOt his finest, but probably the best in the film. Besides that, there are several other parts played laughably bad. The main villain is kinda eh, and the whole setup of the script keeps the women from being taken seriously or the story. Sam Shepard does really well too although it does hurt to see him say a few lines that completely destroy his character.

Conclusion:
Directing wise, the angles and lighting are done well. The costume designer obviously wanted to shove up breasts all day long and I appreciate it. The story provides fun shootouts and some great banter occassionally with some other great moments especially regarding horse tricks, but the film falls on itself and is lost among the occassionally terrible dialog, some bad extra performances (yea I called it) and the Charlie's Angels in the West feel. It promotes itself as nothing but a journey of two sexy latino women and that is all that it is. That and a lot of fun to watch and laugh at and sometimes with. Nothing great, but fun. Oh look, two directors, yea that never helps, just ask Kubrick and Spielberg.

2.7 out of 5

Wannabe