In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Thursday 16 May 2013

El Mariachi (1992)

Robert Rodriguez’s début will appeal to people with an interest in filmmaking, but will likely bore everyone else. He was writer, producer, director, cinematographer, cameraman and editor. He claims to have shot if for around $7,000; if that’s true then it’s a remarkable achievement when you take into account the limitations that must've presented. It’s deeply flawed, the edit is occasionally weak, the indoor lighting is poor (the transfer from 16 to 32 mm only made it worse), but it shows what can be done if you have the passion and the courage to attempt it.

2½ mistaken identities out of 5

1 comment:

cuckoo said...

I agree with everything said here.

It's Rodriguez so I don't expect it to be high art but I do expect it to be entertaining.

It succeeds in that, apart from a few too many drawn out bits.

His passion is evident and I love that.

3 that's not Antonio out of 5