Assassination Tango

R

Released Mar 28, 2003

1 hr. 54 min.

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Romance

List

47%

89 Reviews

Tomatometer

33%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

John J. (Robert Duvall) is a seasoned hit man sent on a job to Argentina. When the general he's sent to kill delays his return to the country, John passes the time with Manuela (Luciana Pedraza), a beautiful dancer who becomes his teacher and guide into Argentina's sensual world of the tango. Spellbound by the rich and mysterious world Manuela has shown him, his idyll is shattered when the reality of why he's there comes crashing down around him.

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Critics Consensus

Slow to start, this quirky film eventually overstays its welcome.

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steve d

Just becuse your movie is odd does not mean it is good.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Following the brilliant performance/phenomenal writing/surehanded direction of Robert Duvall in "The Apostle," he assumes the role of writer and director of his own star vehicle once again. Unfortunately, this film doesn't come close to the greatness of "The Apostle." Not to say I'm directly comparing the two films, as they're polar opposites in terms of plot: "The Apostle" is the story of a man determined to do God's work no matter what, "Tango" is about a hitman who loves the tango. The only thing in common is that both men in both movies have an obsession. Unfortunately, Duvall's writing and directing in THIS film is haphazard: the cast consistently looks like they're struggling to find something to say. It looks awkward. Overall, not the best followup to a masterpiece.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Robert Duvall directs & stars in this beautifully shot film about a contract killer who's passion is to dance Tango.While on a job in Buenos Aires he meets a lovely Tango teacher and starts to fall in love with her while his job is being delayed... This film is obviously directed by an old man who lies to take his time and let the camera roll for our greatest pleasure. The dancing cessions are well choreographed and this film is charming. Nothing big but an honest entertainment done with taste and passion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Frances H

Very boring and it didn't have much of a plot. The only interesting part was watching the tango dancers.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/09/13

Full Review

Audience Member

Robert Duvall, gives himself the free-rein to explore idiosyncrasies a successful and respected aging contract killer deserves. In the same spirit, the interwoven habits of the aging and respected director, actor, and character in the movie are explored with persuasive honesty to provide a rare authenticity. The "tango is life" metaphor ripples through the film as the movement in tango and those of his preparation to conduct a hit resonate with each other. Dissonances are tolerated ("welcome to Argentina") as he applies himself to learning tango. Seemingly mutually exclusive threads in his personality are partly reconciled as the complex, mutually aware nature of partners in tango become more fully understood. In the end it is beautiful in a gritty way

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Interesting and erotic film! Robert Duvall is agreat actor and a good direcor. He managed to combine crime thriller with elements of musical film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Robert Duvall

Director

Robert Duvall

John J.

Rubén Blades

Miguel

Kathy Baker

Maggie

Luciana Pedraza

Manuela

Julio Oscar Mechoso

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Assassination Tango: Official Clip - The Assassination Job

2:18

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - Tango Lessons Tomorrow

3:42

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - The Gift

3:08

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - Welcome to Argentina

4:01

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - Wrinkles On My Face?

1:47

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - A Tango Performance

3:01

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - Symbol of Elegance

2:27

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - Last Tango with Manuela

1:50

Assassination Tango: Official Clip - The Job Done Right

2:03

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

This is the type of stand-up-and-take-notice performance that burgeoning actors dream off, yet Pedraza is so effortless in her portrayal that I started to think she almost didn't have to try to be so wondrously beguiling.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 19, 2003

Full Review

Jan Stuart

Newsday

Assassination Tango runs aground with an accumulation of small illogicalities.

Rated: 2/4

May 28, 2003

Full Review

Rex Reed

Observer

It's a curious and unsatisfying lark, in which Robert Duvall the actor is rendered speechless by Robert Duvall the writer and sideswiped by Robert Duvall the director.

May 1, 2003

Full Review

Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

He's an old assassin, she's a young local dancing hottie, and they mix dance, lust and guns.

Rated: C

Jun 21, 2007

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Jordan Hiller

Bangitout.com

It is a form of condescension that Duvall could only perpetrate while being blinded by true love.

Rated: 1

Dec 27, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

John J. (Robert Duvall) is a seasoned hit man sent on a job to Argentina. When the general he's sent to kill delays his return to the country, John passes the time with Manuela (Luciana Pedraza), a beautiful dancer who becomes his teacher and guide into Argentina's sensual world of the tango. Spellbound by the rich and mysterious world Manuela has shown him, his idyll is shattered when the reality of why he's there comes crashing down around him.

Director: Robert Duvall
Executive Producer: Francis Ford Coppola, Linda Reisman
Screenwriter: Robert Duvall
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: American Zoetrope
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $970.2K
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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