Once Upon a Time in Mexico, the final chapter in Robert Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogy, explodes onto the screen with a whirlwind of action, violence, and quirky characters. This film, while arguably over-the-top, delivers a visually stunning and engaging experience, showcasing Rodriguez’s signature filmmaking style. This article delves into the plot, characters, and the iconic Puerco Pibil dish featured in the movie.
A Violent Ballet of Redemption
The story centers on El Mariachi, played with brooding intensity by Antonio Banderas, a musician seeking redemption for past violence. Haunted by the loss of his wife, he has sworn off fighting but is drawn back into the fray by a corrupt CIA agent named Sands, portrayed by a delightfully eccentric Johnny Depp. Sands manipulates El Mariachi into thwarting a coup against the Mexican president, orchestrated by the ruthless cartel kingpin Barillo (Willem Dafoe).
El Mariachi reluctantly assembles a team, including two fellow musicians played by Enrique Iglesias and Marco Leonardi. Their mission plunges them into a chaotic world of gunfights, betrayals, and political intrigue. The film’s action sequences are relentlessly paced, featuring Rodriguez’s trademark stylized violence and innovative camera work. Bodies fly, bullets ricochet, and the line between hero and villain blurs in the ensuing mayhem.
Action-packed scene from Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Beyond the Bullets: A Complex Narrative
While the action dominates, “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” also explores themes of loss, revenge, and political corruption. The film’s narrative, though convoluted at times, weaves together multiple storylines involving a vengeful FBI agent, an American fugitive, and a subplot involving a Federale. Depp’s Sands, a memorable character with a penchant for Puerco Pibil and questionable motives, steals many scenes with his darkly comedic performance.
Johnny Depp as Sands in Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
A Taste of Mexico: Sands’ Puerco Pibil Obsession
A recurring motif throughout the film is Sands’ obsession with Puerco Pibil, a traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish. The dish, with its rich flavors and slow cooking process, becomes almost a character itself, symbolizing the simmering tensions and slow burn of the narrative. Rodriguez even includes his own recipe for Puerco Pibil in the DVD extras, a testament to its importance in the film. The recipe, involving marinating pork in a blend of spices, citrus, and achiote paste, then slow-cooking it in banana leaves, reflects the film’s complex layers and slow-burning intensity.
The delicious Puerco Pibil dish.
A Controversial but Compelling Conclusion
“Once Upon a Time in Mexico” concludes the Mexico Trilogy with a bang, albeit a controversial one. Some criticize its excessive violence and convoluted plot, while others praise its visual flair, energetic performances, and unique blend of action and dark humor. It remains a divisive entry in Rodriguez’s filmography, but undeniably a memorable and impactful cinematic experience. The film’s lasting legacy lies not only in its action sequences but also in its cultural impact, introducing audiences to the vibrant flavors of Mexico, both culinary and cinematic.
