Guys are guys in intriguing ‘Matador’

Stuck in Mexico for a few days, Danny and Julian put aside their differences to see the sights. Danny is a traveling salesman. Julian works as a hit man for corporate CEOs. Danny loves his wife. Julian is a one-night-stand womanizer. What they share in common is their work-related problems and the need for friendship.

“Matador” is a metaphor. The mark of excellence in bullfighters is measured by their ability to kill the bull with one blow. How swift and painless is Julian as an assassin? How many meetings with a potential client does Danny need to win a new account? Both have been at the top of their games. Both are struggling to get back their self-respect. To accomplish this, they begin asking favors of each other. This adult comedy provides surprising twists and turns in the development of an unusual work-related friendship.

Pierce Brosnan sheds his suave James Bond persona to play the wise-cracking, asocial corporate assassin Julian. His drunken behavior while wearing a sombrero and his audacious stroll through the lobby in bathing trunks are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Brosnan flawlessly plays the fearful but likable character. Greg Kinnear, as Danny, plays out the reaction the audience has about Julian. Shocked but curious, Danny is simultaneously repulsed and attracted to the professional hit man. Befriending Julian is one of the riskiest and most exciting activities the suburban middle-aged homeowner will likely have.

As “Matador” moves back and forth in time, the audience keeps track of the favors each does for the other. The movie sustains momentum by revealing the differences and similarities between Danny and Julian.

The story begins with a natural progression of strangers becoming friends. Who are they? What do they do? Will they get along? Changes in the setting reflect changes in the development of their friendship. The first half of the story takes place in public places, such as at the bullfights, as they get to know each other. As the relationship develops and trust becomes essential between them, the actions shifts to private spaces, like Danny’s home.

“Matador” grapples with widely understood workplace problems. Linking on-the-job-stress and burn-out to Julian, while offsetting the inherent violence of his hit-man job, makes the comedy work. Little of his professional handiwork is seen on screen; the camera stays on Julian before and after he makes the shot. The audience sees only brief glimpses of the victims just before the moment of impact. The camera’s detachment and the downplay of the victims’ perspective aptly reflect Julian’s emotional frame of mind.

This guys-being-guys adult comedy is quirky, entertaining and worth the price, either at the movies or on DVD.

* PEGGY J. ROGERS produces commercial videos and documentaries.

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