Time: 112 Minutes
Cast:
Warren Oates as Bennie
Isela Vega as Elita
Director: Sam Peckinpah

Really the only thing I knew about this movie going in is that Sam Peckinpah is the director, and having seen Straw Dogs and The Wild Bunch I was curious about it. I wouldn’t say that I loved it, but it is a really good movie.

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is a gritty and grimy crime thriller that goes to some dark places. This bleak and nihilistic neo noir is on the more slow burner side, but is also contemplative and self reflective. It’s not the easiest movie to watch, but it had my attention all the way to the end.

The performances are fantastic. Warren Oates is stellar as flawed protagonist Bennie. The film is primarily focused on his character and we see his descent into madness and self destruction as the movie progresses. Isela Vega is also great in her part.

The direction from Sam Peckinpah is excellent. The cinematography is wonderful, beautifully shot and vibrant, and captures the Mexican scenery really well. As typical of Peckinpah, the violence is brutal and hits really hard.

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia is a nihilistic and slow burn neo-noir thriller, well directed and with great performances.