Chris Pappas
El Mariachi
The movie El Mariachi, by Robert Rodriguez, is the prequel to the movie Desperado, starring Antonio Benderas. There are many stereotypes of Mexicans portrayed in this movie. From the beginning we see a jailer paid off to let the hit-men into the jail, so they can kill. The jailor is paid off to look the other way, and then when they fail, the jailor is paid off by the other side, without any repercussions. The Mariachi symbolizes a stereotype as well; he is hardly in a scene without his guitar case, even when you really don’t believe he needs it. The Bandito-violence stereotype is present in the character of Azul, runs around the city like he owns it, shooting anyone who gets in his way. The character of Moco shows the cartel stereotype, wearing all white and running his criminal operation from his home, using intimidation and all other harassing tools to get his way.
The statement, “All he wants is to be a Mariachi,” shows that he doesn’t really care about all that is going on around him, the music that his father and grandfather taught him, is all that matters. He’s forced into defending himself from the men who wrongly confuse him with another Azul. His new found love for Domino makes it difficult for him to the Mariachi, when she dies, he seeks vengeance. (As represented in the next movie).
Music plays a huge role in this film, one, because a Mariachi is a musician by trade, two, to set the tone for each scene. The use of sound effects is very prevalent also.
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