Unstable Rene Pelon (nicely played with quiet intensity by Esai Morales) takes over running a Mexican drug cartel from the sick and dying Javier Salazar (a fine performance by Andy Garcia). Moreover, weary professional assassin Nick Shields (an excellent portrayal by Ray Liotta) is assigned to take Pelon out.
Director James Cotton relates the compelling and compelling story at a constant pace, offers a pleasingly seamy south-of-the-border atmosphere, and maintains a tough gritty tone throughout. R. Ellis Frazier's compact script not only delivers a few neat twists and turns, but also brings a certain soulful and wounded humanity to the majority of the characters that in turn gives this film a surprising amount of depth and poignancy.
The bang-up cast rates as another substantial asset: Valerie Cruz as sweet and helpful prostitute Olivia, Bruce Davison as the corrupt and cynical Anthony, Armand Assante as watchful priest Padre Antonio, Kevin Gage as rowdy good ol' boy Mario, Joe Morton as the no-nonsense Hodges, and Danny Trejo as the ruthless Mario. A real on the money movie.
Director James Cotton relates the compelling and compelling story at a constant pace, offers a pleasingly seamy south-of-the-border atmosphere, and maintains a tough gritty tone throughout. R. Ellis Frazier's compact script not only delivers a few neat twists and turns, but also brings a certain soulful and wounded humanity to the majority of the characters that in turn gives this film a surprising amount of depth and poignancy.
The bang-up cast rates as another substantial asset: Valerie Cruz as sweet and helpful prostitute Olivia, Bruce Davison as the corrupt and cynical Anthony, Armand Assante as watchful priest Padre Antonio, Kevin Gage as rowdy good ol' boy Mario, Joe Morton as the no-nonsense Hodges, and Danny Trejo as the ruthless Mario. A real on the money movie.