Wednesday Movie Night: Get the Gringo (2012)

So Mel Gibson might not be able to send his movie to the box office anymore, as this one went to a special airing on Direct TV and DVD instead, but he still does churn out a good movie despite his very damaged career. Adrian Grunberg was also the director for Get the Gringo, and this was also his directorial debut. Before that he assisted directed on movies like Amores Perros. He brings the vibe of Amores Perros perfectly to Get the Gringo though, and sets the Mexico setting up to be as brutal and horrific as it was in that film.

A guy, who's identity is unknown, is nabbed by the police in Mexico, and sent to live in the tough Mexican prison where a system of hierarchy is in place. His only focus is to get to the money he stole, and get out of there though, but in order to do that he believes he needs to build up to the guys running the prison from the inside. While there he also meets a kid who is in a dire situation, and needs to get out himself before his life is brought to an end. This leaves both him and the kid battling to get out through the same person.


Get the Gringo was unexpectedly an intense watch that somehow draws you in to the character's on the screen. All of them you're curious about, and you're waiting to see what happens to them. Mel Gibson seems like his usual self, but is an interesting character as the guy only known as Driver. There is also the other main character who he meets living in the prison known as Kid, Kevin Hernandez, and he is a good actor. It's usually difficult to find younger actors who can reel you into the story, and make it believable, and he does great with his role in that. When his character is hurting you feel it, and he outshines even the veterans in the movie.

This movie does take a harsh look at what life is like in a Mexican prison, and if it's anything like reality it's difficult and very different than what we imagine prison being like, which is what adds to the intrigue of the movie. Basically the rules are set in this prison by whoever has gained the most power, and the place is run like a rundown town. Seeing how they get themselves out of a situation that seems hopeless gives you a way to connect with the characters, and the chance for the story to grow. You also have a string of bad guys to counteract the good guys, and Driver always feels in the middle. So he never feels like too much of a good guy, but never qualifies as being a bad guy either.

Get the Gringo also has an interesting way it's shot that does follow the action well. It has a gritty feel that does match the feel of the movie, and honestly probably makes it look that much more nastier than the setting even was. The twists keep the moving as well. If you enjoyed movies like Braveheart or Apocalypto then you will also want to check this one out.

Overall, it is a shame this movie didn't get more of a release. I know people are taking it out on Mel Gibson, but a good movie got punished. It adds in a lot of drama in the middle of the action that doesn't let the story get wrongly lost, and the acting is strong enough to cause us to believe in the characters in the movie. The setting, and everything just comes together to catch you.

Rating 8 of 10