The Weekend Western: Bandidas
This comedy western from writer/producer Luc Besson is light of laughs but easy on the eye thanks to its two stars, Penélope Cruz and Salam Hayek. The pair have a good onscreen chemistry (not really a surprise as they’re good friends in real life) and they’re obviously enjoying themselves, but the weak script and uninspired action scenes ensure the viewer doesn’t share their joy.
Steve Zahn’s amateur detective is the films weak attempt at a love interest. As the villain, Dwight Yoakam wouldn’t be too bad if he hadn’t been saddled with probably the silliest hair piece ever seen in a western. It’s Sam Shepard who comes off best as the retired bank robber who teaches the ladies the tricks of the trade but he only gets about ten minutes of screen time.
In fact the films best performers are on four legs not two with Cruz’s noughts and crosses playing horse taking the acting honours followed by Hayek’s dog. That really says all you need to know about the quality of the film. Luc Besson has produced more than a few fun action flicks over the years but this isn’t so much a misstep as a stumble.
With a little more thought this could have recaptured the spirit of classic comedy westerns of the ‘60s like Cat Ballou. Instead it’s an instantly forgettable first pairing of the two biggest Hispanic actresses in the world, hopefully it won’t be the last as they deserve a better film.
