Today’s quick review: Get the Gringo. After a robbery gone wrong, a criminal (Mel Gibson) flees across the border to Mexico and ends up in El Pueblito, a town-sized Mexican prison with its own ramshackle economy. There he strikes up a friendship with an observant young boy (Kevin Hernandez) and his mother (Dolores Heredia) and begins to work on a plan to escape with the unwitting help of Javi (Daniel Gimenez Cacho), the man in charge.
Get the Gringo is a crime movie with traces of action and comedy. Mel Gibson stars as a nameless robber who makes a dubious getaway to Mexico, ending up in an unusual prison that holds as much opportunity as it does danger. There he must use his wits to navigate the criminal ecosystem, figure out a way to escape, and perhaps recover $2 million in stolen money along the way.
Get the Gringo does a surprisingly good job with its characters. Mel Gibson makes for a likable protagonist, an unabashed criminal with a clever mind and a kind heart. His wry narration gives the movie its distinctive flavor, and his schemes are fascinating to watch. Kevin Hernandez plays opposite him as a scrappy boy who lives with his mother in the prison. Hernandez delivers a subtle, credible performance that complements Gibson’s nicely.
Beyond its characters, Get the Gringo has a healthy mix of plot, drama, and action. The plot concerns the protagonist’s attempts to first survive in El Pueblito, then escape it. Corrupt cops, stolen cash, and the boy and his mother keep the plot from becoming too linear, while a couple of shootouts lend the film some action. Get the Gringo also borders on comedic from time to time, thanks mainly to Gibson’s character, but it never quite makes the leap.
Watch Get the Gringo when you’re in the mood for a tidy, entertaining crime flick that doesn’t overstay its welcome. Though not an overly ambitious movie, Get the Gringo is charming and cleanly executed, making it a solid pick for crime fans. Skip it if you are sensitive to violence. For a light action movie set around the Mexican border, check out 2 Guns. For a more romantic, more comedic movie about a roguish robber, try Out of Sight.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for well-drawn characters, a clever plot, and a likable lead.