The Matador

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The Matador

R

Released Jan 27, 2006

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

154 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) is working through his shaky marriage and the untimely death of his child when he bumps into the similarly dispirited Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexican dive bar. After they develop an unusual but meaningful bond, the brash Julian reveals that he is a contract killer, which doesn't bother Danny. Months later, a desperate Julian shows up at Danny's home and asks for a life-changing favor that truly puts their friendship to the test.

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Critics Consensus

This humorously amoral, oddball comic thriller features strong performances by Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear as a flamboyant, aging hit-man and an out of work suburban businessman, respectively.

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Heather Havrilesky

Salon.com

Hope Davis' brilliant turn as Kinnear's naive but slightly naughty wife... is the cherry on director Richard Shepard's sundae.

Jul 16, 2019

Full Review

Ben Walters

Time Out

Brosnan's irreverent charm makes this a welcome alternative to Bond nonsense, even if it's insufficient to compensate for dreary Kinnear ...

Aug 16, 2007

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Nice characters and situations: unfortunately, writer-director Richard Shephard didn't have much idea where to go with them.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 27, 2007

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Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

Brosnan and Kinnear are up to the challenge, both delivering very solid performances. Brosnan seems to be having a lot of fun playing off his James Bond past, while Kinnear proves to be the perfect adversary.

Rated: B

Nov 20, 2019

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Intelligently written with sparkling and witty repartee, intriguing quirkiness and entertainment value that is endlessly enjoyable, The Matador is the film to take a stab at this week!

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

R.L. Shaffer

IGN DVD

Absurd and quirky at times, The Matador plays like a "Bizarro World" variation of a James Bond film. It's beautifully shot, strange and deeply meaningful.

Rated: 8/10

Dec 24, 2010

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judy W

I never wanted to watch this film because I knew there would be bullfighting at some point. I saw a few seconds of a bullfight once. The sight of the gored horse and a confused and terrified bull,frozen in it's track,causes me nightmares to this day. But I love the cast, and so recently decided to watch it. I think this is Brosnan's best performance- I honestly do. He takes on all of this character proudly and honestly. Brosnan balances the emotional nuances with comedy, and makes believable the grotesque behavior of this seriously flawed human. I never once thought of Janes Bond,Thomas Crown,or Mamma Mia :) This is a completely different person, and a far more complex character. Greg Kinnear and Hope Davis give original and stellar performances as well, which melt and contrast perfectly with Brosnan. Here is wonderful acting in almost every scene- blending and fading exactly when needed, without ever disrespecting the space of their fellow actors. These 3 are the perfect blend. This movie has depth and substance. It makes you laugh and can make you cry. It makes you care far less about the story than these lives within it. The director is equally intelligent and sensitive to the flaws and comedic parts within each of his actors. He seems more of a sensitive conductor, truly appreciating the talent in his 'orchestra" I adored it . -all of it- But I adore

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/14/24

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Alec B

It's surprisingly low-key for an "action-comedy" (if it should even be called that) and it's full of surprising plot choices that opt for a more conversational tone than obvious jokes. Brosnan is so, so good in this role. Just cartoonish enough to be amusing and then measured exactly when he needs to be.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

Cork B

Matador is well acted, with quirky dialogue and oddball plot. My major issue with this film is that we are supposed to sympathize with basically a serial killer because he is, what, affable? He is still a serial killer. And even if he wasn't, his other life decisions left a bunch to be desired.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

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Audience Member

Original in every way. Perfect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

I loved returning to this film. The first time I saw it perhaps I felt it was not what I expected. It is a fun comedy about getting older. Appreciated experience from an old film lover.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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steve d

Brosnan is absolutely fantastic and incredibly funny. The film is not as good but quite entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Richard Shepard

Director

Pierce Brosnan

Julian Noble

Greg Kinnear

Danny Wright

Hope Davis

Carolyn 'Bean' Wright

Philip Baker Hall

Mr. Randy

Dylan Baker

Lovell

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Synopsis

Salesman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) is working through his shaky marriage and the untimely death of his child when he bumps into the similarly dispirited Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexican dive bar. After they develop an unusual but meaningful bond, the brash Julian reveals that he is a contract killer, which doesn't bother Danny. Months later, a desperate Julian shows up at Danny's home and asks for a life-changing favor that truly puts their friendship to the test.

Director: Richard Shepard
Producer: Pierce Brosnan, Bryan Furst, Sean Furst, Beau St. Clair
Screenwriter: Richard Shepard
Production Co: Stratus Films, DEJ Productions
Rating: R (Strong Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

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