El Mariachi

The story of the film and its exploitation could have come straight out of a pulp novel: A traveling musician is mistaken for a criminal and, with the help of a bar owner, manages to hide from the gang that wants him dead. A feature film debut that cost less than a day of studio shooting was the turbo boost for a Hollywood career. Film critics, directors, and producers loved this parody of the classic Western and action genres, whose conventions Robert Rodriguez virtuously subverts. 16mm handheld camera work, abrupt zooms, slow motion, and time-lapse create a raw cinematic style, while amateur actors and a real small town in northern Mexico (Ciudad Acuña) contribute to a laconic atmosphere. The film's success has nothing to do with perfection, but rather with the skillful fusion of imperfect elements. (T.W.)