El Mariachi

The film El Mariachi was an interesting portrayal of many Mexican stereotypes. One of the main stereotypes seen was in the treatment of women in the film. Both the head drug-runner, Moco and his enemy Azul seemed to always have women surrounding them at their disposal. They obviously treated women as objects not with respect. In great contrast though we see the Mariachi show utmost respect for Domino, the owner of the bar who takes him in and helps him to hide in the new town he has encountered. Other stereotypes were the clothes, trucks, guns, drinking and drug war seen in the film. A stereotype that was amusing was in the bar where the bartender tells the Mariachi that he does not need a real Mariachi, he already has one. Then the man sitting in the corner complete with a colorful sombraro and heavy thick mustache comes out and plays a some sort of Mexican song on an electric keyboard. That scene was very stereotypical as well as entertaining. The violence shown in the film does seem to represent Mexican culture. Many parts of Mexico are so corrupt due to the overwhelming use and trade of drugs that the film is probably close to portraying the real side of how things are in parts of Mexico. The statement, "All he wants to be is a Mariachi", is evident in the film as we see the Mariachi go to extreme means to try to be the best Mariachi he can be. He travels long distances trying to find work only to encounter severe heart ache and even permanent physical damage, when his hand is shot. The Mariachi represented goodness, tradition and culture in the film. He longs to play the guitar as his ancestors did to bring entertainment and joy to the people. The Mariachi was able to accomplish this when he played in Domino's bar. It was obvious that the crowd was enthralled with his ability to play his music, which is what he hoped for. The role of music in the film was strongly portrayed, as the Mariachi gives his all for his music even twice in the film going back into dangerous situations to try to retrieve his guitar. It is evident that his guitar is his livelihood as it represents all that he is striving for in life. That is, to be the best Mariachi and be respected by the people because of his songs and music. El Mariachi proved to be an interesting look at the various aspects of Mexican culture.