The Mexican (VHS, 2001)

Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts have star power to burn in Gore Verbinski's offbeat THE MEXICAN, about the search for a cursed legendary gun. Pitt stars as Jerry Welbach, a small-time loser who is given no choice but to run an errand for a powerful boss (Bob Balaban) who will have him killed if he fails. But if he accepts the job to go to San Miguel to pick up the beautiful handcrafted gun known as the Mexican, his loud, demanding girlfriend, Samantha (Roberts), will leave him and move to Vegas. But through a course of bizarre events, his contact is shot in the top of his head, the gun is stolen, and Sam is kidnapped and held hostage by a hired killer (James Gandolfini) who is not all that he seems.Verbinski tells this humorous tale of love, trust, double crosses, and murder as part road-trip comedy, part wacky film noir. The supporting cast, including terrific turns by J.K. Simmons, Bob Balaban, and Michael Cerveris, makes for the requisite bunch of second-rate hoods and other lowlifes. Pitt and Roberts are excellent as the always-battling couple, but Gandolfini steals the show as a sensitive hit man with a dangerous secret. The excellent soundtrack includes such classic songs as "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" and "Safety Dance."