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ESSAYS, ARTICLES, AND THEORIES ABOUT CINEMA
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| Sunday, May 4, 2008
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El Mariachi (1992) |
 Among the typical moviegoer, the film El Mariachi (1992) might not make the list of favorites. Why is this? El Mariachi contains everything a Hollywood blockbuster should have: violence, sex, explosions, comedic lines, and action. Although having so many similarities, the film brings something to the screen that no blockbuster could ever produce: and that is heart. El Mariachi, while produced with only seven thousand dollars, contains a fascinating story, great acting and is beautifully shot as well. Since that is said, El Mariachi intellectually remains ahead of the typical American blockbuster. The film proves a large budget is unnecessary when it comes to making an action film. El Mariachi tells the story of the titular Mariachi (El Mariachi) who is coincidentally taken for Azul, a targeted hitman waiting to gain revenge on a prior acquaintance named Moco. The story follows El Mariachi as he struggles to survive this situation of mistaken identity.
While the story is somewhat unrealistic, it is very entertaining. The debatable question whether the events occurred by fate or coincidence is  answered in the final sequence. Like the nararrator says, El Mariachi lost Domino, his hand, his mind, leading him nowhere but the road. Fate brought him to Acuna, and takes him off into the "American-made" sequel Desperado (1995) and the prequel Once Upon A Time in Mexico (2003). El Mariachi attempts to get Domino back, but finds that Domino and Azul had been killed by Moco. Azul’s death symbolizes the demise of El Mariachi’s double. He no longer is confused with the hitman, because the nightmare worsens to the point where he symbolically becomes Azul. After killing Moco, he gets on the morotcycyle and rides off with the intentions implying he will begin where Azul finished.
 The film is also great because it comments and criticizes the way American films are perceived by those in foreign countries. In a sense, the film mimics on the fact American films contain overt themes. There is a hint of sarcasm when it comes to the violence in El Mariachi. Compared to some action-packed blockbusters, the violence in El Mariachi is perceived in a realistic manner. This gives the impression that if someone is shot, they bleed. Most American films tone down the realism when it comes to violence in order to attain a wider audience. When it comes to the director, this shows the difference between pleasing an audience and pleasing oneself.
Not only does El Mariachi contain overt themes, but minor themes as well. The small turtle appears twice in the film giving the implications of importance. The turtle could mean how fast life truly moves. The turtle is slowly progressing, but El Mariachi moves quickly. When El Mariachi walks into the bar and asks for a job, the bartender informs how the position is filled by a newly invented machine. El Mariachi can empathize with the turtle, because just like he passed the turtle, technology has managed to quickly pass himself.
 “Don't give me any money, don't give me any people, but give freedom, and I'll give you a movie that looks gigantic.” This is a quote by revolutionary filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who financed El Mariachi by working as a drug experiment tester. He also shot the film himself, something uncommon among filmmakers today. The statement mentioned above says a lot about the way filmmaking itself has monstrously progressed. Rodriguez joins individuals such as Quentin Tarintino, Spike Lee, John Singleton, Martin Scorsese, and others who acquired a particular “street smart” that no school could teach. Rodriguez has the passion for creating films just as El Mariachi harbors the passion to play guitar and sing. The film shows how important mariachis are to Spanish culture. Just like the protagonist observed, it is a competitive occupation in some areas. |
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posted by Will Lewis 11:29 AM
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