Get the Gringo

Get the Gringo

2012

Drama 

Rated: R

Running Time: 96 minutes

Starring: Mel Gibson, Kevin Hernandez,

Directed By: Adrian Grunberg

Rating: 6 out of 10

Outline

A man is thrown into a Mexican jail and must try and survive with the help of a young kid.

Review

I am just going to come out and say it, I miss Mel Gibson movies. He was one of my favorite actors back in the day, and every time he shows up in a film, I am reminded that it is a shame he has fallen so low. Listen, I understand the dude is a mess off screen, but I still appreciate the guy’s body of work. You know you might have a drinking problem when I say you have a drinking problem. Get the Gringo is the story of a guy named Driver. After stealing a lot of money, he is thrown into a Mexican jail to rot. With the help of a young kid he must learn to survive in this unforgiving environment.

It is a shame that this film didn’t get a wide release as it is actually quite good. Here is a tip for anyone making a movie. You can never go wrong by starting your film off with a high speed car chase, and that is where we find ourselves with this movie. Instantly, the viewer is hooked to this film as Driver tries to elude both the Mexican and the American authorities. The film doesn’t really get underway until we find Driver thrown into a Mexican jail for stealing a large amount of cash. From there, the film settles down into a tale of one man’s survival. I love these types of films and I was instantly reminded of an earlier Gibson movie in Payback. Driver is a bad guy in a prison full of bad guys, but you like him for his quick wit and charm. The prison where he is incarcerated is like a really filthy mall. There are no jail cells and the inmates can walk around to purchase food, drugs, booze, clothing, and sundry products all for their everyday use. The film has a little bit of every genre blended into it so there is something for every type of viewer to appreciate. You will like the con aspect, as Driver has to hustle his way to make money. He lies, cheats, and steals his prison money by using his brain and some MacGyveresque techniques. You will like the action aspect, as Driver is shot at on numerous occasions and also fires back when his life depends on it. You will like the crime aspect, as Driver tries to work his way up the criminal hierarchy in the prison. He does favors for the right people at the right time to try and advance himself. You will like the prison break aspect, as Driver tries to find a way to escape this jail. Lastly, you will like the revenge aspect, as many people seem to want Driver dead (Which he obviously doesn’t forget.) The film is just straight up entertaining as Driver works his criminal magic in various ways.

Mel Gibson can be called many things, but one of the most entertaining actors is certainly amongst his titles. It takes only a few minutes to realize how much I missed this dude. He is such a charming guy and his wise cracking ways will bring a smile to most people’s faces. This is classic Gibson, as he manipulates his way out of many situations. This is another great role that he can add to his already awesome resume. Driver befriends a young kid in this played by Kevin Hernandez. Hernandez offers up a very gritty performance at such a young age. Hernandez smokes, swears, and fights his way into a very impressive showing. Gibson and Hernandez have an instant chemistry and a lot of the film’s success can be attributed to the easy dialogue between them. They are enjoyable to watch as they work various con jobs inside the prison.

So, the film is a little all over the place with so much going on. It does seem to lose focus as Driver tries to con everyone he meets. There are corrupt police, prison mafia men, corrupt U.S. ambassadors, American mafia men, drug dealers, prison medical staff, and probably many more people that I forget. With so many cons going on, the film lacks both cohesion and excitement at times. As the film comes to a hectic close, one wonders why they don’t make more movies like this. In conclusion, this film is pretty cool with its multifaceted story. Gibson is awesome and super easy to follow. The action is solid and the cons are great, both big and small. The negative is the film tries to be too big at times. There are too many characters and also too many overly complicated subplots muddying the flow. A more simplified path to the end would have worked better in my mind.  

Director Adrian Grunberg’s first movie was a complete success. He guides an interesting tale that will appeal to many different types of viewers. The action sequences are well shot and his use of slow motion techniques only adds to the sequences. He could have done without a fake looking scene with a grenade, but no one is perfect. He made me remember why I miss Gibson,

and I credit him for a job well done.

I give this movie a recommendation as it is hidden gem.

T Factor + If you like con movies then this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you do not like Mel Gibson then this could score lower on the rating scale.

IF you liked this film reel recommendations: Payback, The Score.