El mariachi gringo

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It's a movie about finding your dream; about stepping outside the box, and not being afraid to try something new and different. The movie is about Edward, a young man who wants to be a mariachi. In his quest, we are shown the beautiful traditional culture that makes up Mexico. As a teacher, I endeavor to expose my students to Mexican culture by singing "Las Mañanitas" to them, explaining how mariachis are hired to sing the traditional birthday song to a loved one. How they typically come in the morning and sing outside her window. In this movie, my students will get to see this. I explain to them about the Mariachi culture, and this movie shows this. I teach them about "El día de los muertos" and this movie has beautiful scenes on this. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Watching this movie, you will see the many wonderful Mexican traditions as Edward goes about finding himself. And if that isn't enough, we are treated to Lila Down's beautiful voice, and beautiful Mariachi music. They tried to pack a lot in to this movie, and that might be the reason for its lack of transition, but in my estimation it makes up for it in heart.

What a wonderful movie! It introduced me to Mariachi music. I've never seen any of the actors before, but they all delivered excellent performances, especially Canadian actor Shawn Ashmore in the lead role as the Gringo who moves from thoroughly white bread Kansas to Guadalajara to become not only a Mariachi singer, but to become completely immersed in Mexican culture. I've always enjoyed cross cultural, and counter culture movies, and this one hits a home run!

Of course the blue eyed, blond gringo takes a tremendous risk going to Mexico to take up the most Mexican genre of music, but he succeeds gloriously, and the initially skeptical Mexican audiences are impressed by his sincerity and talent, and thrilled at his success. It is one thing to be born into a culture, quite another to adopt it as your own.

Refreshingly, Ashmore plays a straight man who is comfortable enough within his own sexuality to dance with a gay guy at a gay bar.

Lila Downs is another cross-cultural and multi cultural standout in Gringo Mariachi. One of the few people on earth who sings in English, Spanish, Mayan, Mixtec, Zapotec, Purepecha and Nahautl (Aztec). Downs was born in Oaxaca, Mexico to an American father, and a Mexican mother, and has lived and worked in both countries.

There's much potential in this out-of-the-ordinary tale about a young Kansan seeking adventure in Mexico. There's a worthy cast, colorful settings, sharp photography, and a fetching soundtrack.

What's missing is a smooth, coherent narrative that deeply involves the viewer in this lad's south-of-the-border quest. Unfortunately, the narrative is rather disjointed and uneven, preventing the viewer an opportunity to fully understand character motivation.

Our hero isn't the most charismatic character, and the script doesn't help clarify matters. The mariachi music is fine per se, though it's not very smoothly integrated into the narrative. It's a pity, for there are fine basic ingredients that could have been better blended into the whole.

While "Mariachi Gringo" was for me an adequate watch, it's unlikely to prompt a Mexican trip.

An American boy feels his life is empty, when he meets a Mexican guy that shows him the love for life, for the small things of it and inculcated his love for Mexican music, food and country. Leading him to a journey across the boarder where he learns to love by himself all those little things that his old friend had showed him. He will meet people across the border that might share his dreams for a meaningful life. The movie comes out from the conventional by showing a real Mexico, showing the culture as it is, dignifying to the Mexican people. Shows the relationships and the journey to self discovery, all these involved in a romantic atmosphere. You can expect the unexpected and leave with a good feeling. Amazing music and photography.

Gutsy, warm film. A great movie for your heart and soul.