Pierce Brosnan’s a Drunken Delight in His Best Post-Bond Movie

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Pierce Brosnan's a Drunken Delight in His Best Post-Bond Movie

Summary

  • Pierce Brosnan’s role in The Matador showcases his comedic acting chops in a dark crime comedy with Greg Kinnear.
  • Brosnan’s departure from his suave James Bond image to play a flawed character earned him critical acclaim.
  • The actor played a crucial role in shaping the physical appearance and emotional depth of his character in the film.

As a long-time fan of Pierce Brosnan’s work, I must say that his performance in “The Matador” was nothing short of remarkable. After years of portraying the suave and sophisticated James Bond, it was refreshing to see him dive headfirst into the complexities of Julian Noble, a character who is as flawed as he is fascinating.

Playing a leading role like James Bond, such as Pierce Brosnan did, can be both rewarding and limiting. Known for portraying the MI6 Secret Service Agent from 1994 to 2004 in four films, Brosnan gained immense popularity but also found himself typecast due to this role. Interestingly, a year after he hung up his tuxedo, Brosnan gave what many consider his most free, funny, and well-rounded performance in a lesser-known film titled “The Matador.”

Featuring and jointly produced by Brosnan, the film The Matador is a gripping dark comedy with a crime backdrop that explores the life of an alcoholic hitman grappling with existential dilemmas. Noteworthy for presenting shades of Brosnan’s acting abilities seldom witnessed on screen, this witty two-person drama also thrives due to the humorous dynamics between Brosnan and Greg Kinnear, who portrays a businessman with impeccable morals seeking a profitable agreement. For fans of James Bond yearning to witness another side of Brosnan’s comedic talents, The Matador is enthusiastically endorsed.

How Pierce Brosnan Got to The Matador

Pierce Brosnan's a Drunken Delight in His Best Post-Bond Movie

Pierce Brosnan, a talented Irish actor, made his screen debut in the iconic crime thriller “The Long Good Friday” (1980). His career took off when he starred in John McTiernan’s film “Nomads” and the long-running TV series “Remington Steele,” appearing in 94 episodes over five years. In 1993, his comedic skills were highly praised following his role as Stuart Dunmeyer alongside Robin Williams in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Leveraging his charm and stardom, Brosnan was selected to portray British MI6 Agent James Bond for the first time in the 1995 film “Golden Eye.”

Following a well-received portrayal that captivated both critics and spectators alike, Brosnan was given the opportunity to reprise his role as James Bond for three more films. These additional Bond movies were “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “The World is Not Enough” (1999), and “Die Another Day” (2002). Lending his voice to the character in the 2003 video game “James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing,” Brosnan eventually handed over the mantle of James Bond to another British actor, Daniel Craig. Letting go of such an iconic role might have shaken one’s self-assurance, but the freedom that Brosnan likely experienced fueled him to take the most daring cinematic leap in his career.

What Is The Matador About?

Pierce Brosnan's a Drunken Delight in His Best Post-Bond Movie

Titled and orchestrated by Richard Shepard, “The Matador” is a witty blend of crime and comedy with a grim undertone, focusing on the chaotic escapades of Julian Noble (Brosnan), a disillusioned and pessimistic assassin struggling to maintain his professional edge. In an unexpected encounter in Mexico City, Julian crosses paths with Danny Wright (Kinnear), a conventional businessman with a rigid lifestyle. As their friendship blossoms, it takes on a therapeutic role for Julian, who is grappling with the fallout of a failed assignment and questioning his actions and motives. To ease his turmoil, Julian turns to heavy drinking, creating a humorous contrast with Danny’s conservative demeanor.

As a gamer, Things get intense when Julian shows Danny the dark side of his job, a lethal profession, and asks for help with a hit. Initially hesitant, I find myself reluctantly agreeing. Over time, we form an unexpected bond, an odd-duo friendship that leads to an unforeseen conclusion. Fast forward six months, we’re in Denver, where Julian drafts me into a risky mission aimed at taking down his boss, Mr. Stick (played by William Raymond). From there, our journey takes us to Tucson, Arizona, where we aim to take out Mr. Stick so that Julian can retire peacefully in Greece.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Brosnan delivers an exceptional performance as Julian, unlike any he’s given in his acting career. After spending a decade portraying James Bond with his signature suave demeanor, impeccable style, and unwavering morality, it’s truly remarkable to see Brosnan shed all that and bring such depth and complexity to a character who is deeply flawed yet well-rounded.

In this role, Brosnan brilliantly combines humor and pathos as Julian. He exudes confidence and toughness, yet hides a tender and vulnerable side. Despite appearing in charge, he’s internally chaotic, especially when faced with ethical dilemmas in his job as an assassin. It comes as no shock that Brosnan received a nomination for a Golden Globe and a Saturn Award, recognizing his exceptional acting skills.

Brosnan’s Role in Getting The Matador Made

Pierce Brosnan's a Drunken Delight in His Best Post-Bond Movie

Instead of simply taking up a role as an actor, Brosnan took on a more active role in shaping his character, Julian Noble, in the film “The Matador.” As a co-producer, he was involved in creating Julian’s physical appearance, deliberately choosing to distance it from his well-known James Bond persona. According to Shepard via Ain’t It Cool:

“I’m keen on transforming Pierce’s sleek, laid-back appearance. The mustache played a significant role. I also appreciate his slim build with a bit of a pot belly – I mentioned this to him when we first met and he seemed baffled, as if I were speaking Swahili. However, he had a fantastic sense of humor and was open to experimentation. An additional scene involving underwear wasn’t in the original script; it was an idea I came up with just two days before shooting began. We only did one take.”

In this hotel scene, Julian struts confidently, dressed only in sunglasses, tight underwear, cowboy boots, and holding a cigarette and drink. Surprised spectators look on as he disregards them all, staggering towards the pool. He clumsily removes his boots before taking a sip of his drink and leaping into the water. This amusing, wordless sequence displays Brosnan’s acting talent and offers a seldom-seen side of him to viewers. It’s an exceptional moment of silent slapstick comedy.

Besides finding the emotional depth appealing, Brosnan confessed that it was this aspect which attracted him to Julian; he shared this during an interview with CHUD.

“It possessed a genuine and heartfelt quality, yet it was complex and gloomy – a challenge for dark comedy as it frequently pushes and pulls the audience. There’s a risk of leaving them disconnected, potentially losing them altogether. The bond between Richard’s characters Danny and Bean was incredibly wholesome, filled with affection, depth, and tenderness. This contrasted sharply with Julian’s crude, twisted behavior, which I found made for compelling drama.”

Although Pierce Brosnan may always be synonymous with James Bond, he gives his best and most convincing performance in The Matador as a wayward soul looking for spiritual redemption. The role allowed Brosnan to shed his 007 image, flex his acting range, and show the world that he could play dark and twisted characters and still make them just as lovable as his most iconic character.

The Matador is available to stream on Apple TV+

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2024-07-31 00:32