20/06/07 : ‘El Mariachi’

‘El Mariachi’(1992 ) is the low-budget debut from cult director Robert Rodriguez, famous for ‘From Dusk ‘til Dawn’ and a previous selection for the SYNW film club, the excellent ‘Sin City’. Allegedly made for only $7,000, Rodriguez apparently donated his body to medical science to finance the film.

Set in Mexico, the film follows the misadventures of a travelling mariachi who is mistaken for a vengeful gangster on the rampage in small town Mexico. Cue chase scenes, guns and mindless bloody violence a-plenty!

The film uses humour to make quite a serious point too. In one hilarious scene, Rodriguez comments upon the dying art of the traditional musician in Mexico. A bartender in one downtown drinking hole ‘treats’ the mariachi to a session from his ‘in-house’ band (literally a dude in a sombrero with a cheap Bontempi style keyboard). The irony of the bartender’s statement, 'if you want to earn real money, get yourself a real instrument' is not lost on our hero!

I thought there were some real stylish touches to the film and moments of genuine laugh out loud humour. This film shows what can be done on raw talent and a minimal budget.

It’s brimming with audio and visual effects, such as speeded up/slowed down shots and exaggerated sound effects that render it quite cartoon-esque in places. It’s a film that never bothers to take itself too seriously.

An ultimately enjoyable and watchable flick...if you don’t mind the 'low-budget' look and feel to it. Reviewed by Corporal Tench