THE MATADOR

"You wouldn't want to know what I do"

International hitman Julian Noble (Brosnan) is one of the best in the business. When his handler Mr. Randy (Baker Hall) gives him a portfolio, the client knows it will be done, clinically and without remorse. He is consummate professional but the life of a hitman is a lonely one. When Mr. Randy reminds him it's his birthday he realises that he has absolutely no one to share it with because in his line of work he can't make any connections. This all changes with he gets drunk and while feeling sorry for himself in Mexico City, he runs into Danny Wright (Kinnear) who starts a conversation with him in the bar. Has Julian finally found a friend?

The shadow of a certain super spy was always going to hard to step out of but as a sleazy hitman, Pierce Brosnan might have just done that.

Portraying James Bond means instant superstardom for any actor that plays him but it can also be a burden. You will be forever known as the suave and suffocated spy and every role you play will be compared to Bond. This problem is now the cross that Pierce Brosnan has to bear. The good news is that he has taken the correct course to escape that shadow.

The role of Julian Noble is completely different from anything Pierce has ever played before. While he still moves in international circles, flying around the world in first class and staying the best hotels, he is as far from suave and suffocated as he could possibly get. Slightly mad, extremely lonely and not knowing anything about style, hence his awful moustache, Julian Noble is a complete mess and a character that Brosnan can really have fun with and showcase the talents that got him noticed for the super spy role in the first place.

Greg Kinnear is a fine character actor who really gets the chance to shine again as Danny Wright. He is a big name actor who enjoys small budget character driven pieces and sees them as a chance to really stretch himself. As Danny he plays the average, working man who becomes embroiled and intrigued by the life that Julian leads but his interest might just become a little too dangerous. If you want a character actress to bring some reality and believability to a role you can't get much better than Hope Davis. As Carolyn 'Bean' Wright, she is instantly likeable and you can understand why Danny adores her.

Successfully mixing comedy and drama is never an easy prospect but writer/director Richard Shepard hits the target more times than he misses. In Danny and Julian he blends the complete opposites into true friends but with the backdrop of Julian's job the opportunity for very dark, black comedy. The actors bring out the best in the very funny script and their characters are extremely well developed and instantly likeable. With a few twist and turns thrown in for good measure, this makes for a plot that will drawn you in from the off and entertain you through out.

'The Matador' proves that there is life after Bond and that he is an actor with more string to his bow than you may have thought. Funny and dark with great performances, this is an entertaining movie that that is a true hit that really hits the mark.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well.

BONUS FEATURES

Feature Commentary with Director Richard Shepard
The writer/director gives an in-depth commentary about how he developed the script and the film and its journey to the silver screen. He talks passionately about the development of the script, highlighting the tone of the movie and how the characters developed around the actors. He also includes many stories from behind scenes of the making of the movie. This is a good single person commentary from a talented filmmaker.

Feature Commentary with Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear and director Richard Shepard
The writer/director is joined by his two stars provide a funny commentary track for 'The Matador'. Both Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear reveal how they got involved with the project and the evolution of their characters, as they both play against type. The trio talk about the locations and working with the rest of the cast, highlighting the work of Hope Davis. They also talk about the comedy in the movie and reveal the secrets behind the moustache. This is an excellent commentary that fans of the movie will really enjoy.

Making the Matador (7.20 mins)
Writer/director Richard Shepard, Piece Brosnan, Greg Kinnear and Hope Davis take you behind the scenes of the making of 'The Matador'. Revealing the secrets behind the performances and the development of the characters, as the actors go against type. The featurette looks at the performances of the three main actors and what it was like working with the gifted writer/director.

Deleted and Extended Scenes
Entitled 'Delayed at the Airport in Denver', 'On the way to Mexico', 'Julian's birthday night out at the sex club', 'Julian turns on Danny', 'Julian's distraction at the outdoor café', 'Julian's Budapest romp', 'Mr Stick is upset', 'Bean remembers her son', 'Julian and Danny travel to Tucson First Class', 'Julian and Danny flashback' and 'Julian's nightmare vision', these deleted or extended scenes are accompanied by commentary by writer/director Richard Shepard.

Trailers
Previews of 'Proof', 'Casanova', 'Underclassman', 'Annapolis' and 'The Greatest Game Ever Played'

OVERALL

With two good commentary tracks and deleted scenes, the DVD pack for 'The Matador' will really please fans of the film. The featurette is a little slight but there is a lot to enjoy here and it is a fine accompaniment to the excellent main feature.

DVD

The Tailor of Panama

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2006