Mariachi Gringo is a 2012 romantic comedy film directed by Tom Gustafson and written by Cory Krueckeberg. It was produced by Speak Productions and Sin Sentido Films. The film stars Shawn Ashmore, Martha Higareda, Lila Downs, Fernando Becerril, Kate Burton, Tom Wopat and Adriana Barraza.[1]
| Mariachi Gringo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tom Gustafson |
| Written by | Cory Krueckeberg |
| Produced by | Cory Krueckeberg Tom Gustafson Rafael Cuervo Alejandra Cardenas Ramiro Ruiz |
| Starring | Shawn Ashmore Martha Higareda Lila Downs |
| Cinematography | Kira Kelly |
| Edited by | Cory Krueckeberg Jennifer Lee |
| Music by | Tim Sandusky |
Production companies | Sin Sentido Films SPEAKproductions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 107 minutes |
| Countries | Mexico United States |
| Languages | English Spanish |
Mariachi Gringo opened the 2012 Miami International Film Festival[2][3] and won the Mayahuel Awards for Best Film & Best Actress for Martha Higareda at the 2012 Guadalajara International Film Festival.[4]
Synopsis edit
Edward (Shawn Ashmore), a small-town American slacker, meets Albert, an old Mexican man who was once a mariachi. Enchanted by traditional Mexican music, Edward moves to Guadalajara, where he plans to become a mariachi himself. He becomes friends with Lilia (Martha Higareda) and develops unrequited feelings for her. Lilia helps him to advance his dream and enlists the help of Sophia (Lila Downs), the lead singer of a small mariachi band, to teach him.
Lilia herself has the dream to leave Guadalajara and study oceanography, but is constantly putting it off to help her mother run a traditional restaurant.
Edward is then recruited by a prestigious mariachi band, which puts him at odds with Lilia, who feels he's betraying his dream to be a small-town mariachi, selling out to a flashy, big-name band. During his first live show he discovers he was only included in the band as a gimmick and he quits, enraged. He tries to return to his native town, only to find out he doesn't fit anymore. Upon returning to Guadalajara, he learns that Lilia finally left. He then joins Sophia's band, becoming a small-town, regular mariachi as he always wanted.
Cast edit
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Shawn Ashmore | Edward |
| Martha Higareda | Lilia |
| Kate Burton | Anne |
| Adriana Barraza | Magdalena |
| Fernando Becerril | Alberto |
| Lila Downs | Sophia |
| Tom Wopat | Ron |
| Yareli Arizmendi | Rosario |
| Deanna Dunagan | Monica |
| Raúl Méndez | Jorge |
| Jorge Luis Moreno | Rough Youngster |
| Teresa Ruiz | Ashlee |
Critical reception edit
Mariachi Gringo received mixed reviews from film critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 43% approval rating, based on seven reviews.[10] Appraisal was generally directed at the direction, music, and performances by some of the cast, in particular Shawn Ashmore in the lead role.
References edit
- ^ " 'Mariachi Gringo' Wins Big at Guadalajara Film Fest". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Miami International Film Festival Announces Lineup, Will Open With "Mariachi Gringo"". 17 January 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ ""Mariachi Gringo" – Movie Review – 2012 Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) - victorsmoviereviews". victorsmoviereviews. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "Mariachi Gringo Discovers a Mexico Simpler and Warmer Than Kansas - - Movies - New York". Village Voice.
- ^ El Mariachi Gringo. "Sinopsis". Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "Mariachi Gringo". Rotten Tomatoes. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- ^ "Not in Kansas Anymore: Following a Dream to Mexico". The New York Times. 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ^ Dennis Harvey. "Mariachi Gringo". Variety. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ "Mariachi Gringo". Ruthless Reviews. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
- ^ Mariachi Gringo at Rotten Tomatoes
