A Night in Old Mexico (2014)

Strictly average movie

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Robert Duvall never disappoints, even when he appears in a modestly budgeted (only $2 million) independent effort. You have to give the man credit, he was eighty two when he made this picture when most of the other old hosses would have been put out to pasture. It was 2003's "Open Range" that convinced me that Duvall is my favorite modern day actor, an idea reinforced whenever I see him in a picture I haven't viewed before.Take this one for example. He's got the churlish, old man gimmick down pretty well with the facial grimace and repetitive 'Yeahs' to follow up his poignant observations about life and it's consequences. Where the story line takes an unexpected turn occurs when hit man Cholo (Joaquin Cosio) takes out the two grifters who hitch a ride with Red Bovie (Duvall) and his grandson Gally (Jeremy Irvine). All the while one expects the pair of outlaws to hijack Bovie and steal his car, leaving the rest of the story for Red to pursue the men and make good. So that was a twist I didn't see coming.The other one was Red hooking up with the senorita Patty Wafers (Angie Cepeda), an arrangement that doesn't look like it would work but between them, they make sure that the old adage of opposites attracting still works. I'm on the fence with the character of Gally, actor Irvine looked miscast for the part to my thinking. If not for the connection between his own father and the estranged relationship with Red, I don't think it would have worked, but there was something in there that clicked for the elder Bovie, especially after learning that James got his ticket punched on a commuter train back home.It was cool to see Abraham Benrubi in the story as Big Roscoe Hamill, arranging a four hundred dollar getaway from Mexico when drug kingpin Panama (Luis Tosar) zeroed in on the drug money left behind in Red's car. Benrubi appeared as one of Duvall's ranch hands who was murdered on the trail in "Open Range", and just like he did here, it's Duvall's character who sets out to make things right when he's crossed.

Once again, Robert Duvall delivers like few others can. The cast, story line and everything about the movie was grand. His co stars, while I was unfamiliar with them prior to this, were so outstanding. Movie drew me in right from the start and held me fully. Only disappointment I had with the movie was that it had to end. No matter what role Mr. Duvall plays, he is so very convincing and makes you feel like he is someone you know personally. very different from the lawyer in the Godfather. The scenery was outstanding as well with such a great soundtrack. Its sad that ranchers and farmers alike face the devastation of losing the homes and land that they have worked so hard on due to the way things are these days. Instant classic.

In true Hollywood form, viewers are supposed to not know that Joshua trees and mountains do not exist in south Texas but that those driving scenes were shot in the high desert of California. The film jumped from Texas to California and back in the same scene.When Duvall tries to shoot himself the hammer is seen on half-cock where the cylinder can be spun (he actually spins it but does not full-cock it) but not shot from. But a split-second later he sends a bullet through the barn door.The Mexico signs upon entering Mexico are hilarious. The first one says ESTADO DE Mexico (Mexico is in all caps on the sign too)(the state next to Mexico City) and the following one says MORELOS, which is also in central Mexico. Neither is on the border.Lotsa laughs but gimme a break with insulting our knowledge of geography.

I am truly a huge admirer of Sir Robert Duvall, but his time is done, he cant even walk properly, a huge round belly has popped out, dialogue delivery is poor, while watching the movie i thought he might just go to sleep in between shots ....Now about the movie, poor storyline, poor editing done, nothing much to say, if you are bored and have nothing to do then watch this movie.But, Robert Duvall should now hang his boots from acting, he is unfit for any such roles.The actor who has played his grandson, should learn acting, he was an absolute dumb in the movie, All in all i think this is a cheaply done movie, trying to cash in the name of robert duvall, but duvall has failed, instead they should have chosen an actor like Clint Eastwood, Jon Voight or even Gene Hackman ... A fine word of advise to Robert Duvall, retire with respect !!