El Mariachi

El Mariachi

Sandra Clark

            A mariachi is a singer/performer. For this particular man in the movie, a mariachi is all he wanted to do. It was his goal or mission in his life. His father and grandfather preceded him in the singing business. It was a family tradition that he wanted to carry on, almost as if he believed he could not do anything else in life. He states “All I want to be is a Mariachi”.

             The movie was filled with Mexican stereotypes and bandido- violence. The leaders of the violent groups were portrayed as “macho” men with other men working for them to do the “dirty work”. Women catered to these leaders and their needs. From the opening scene to the conclusion, violence became the center of the movie with the mariachi fighting to save his life. The mariachi dressed in black and carried his guitar case was mistaken for Azul who also wore black and carried his weapons in his guitar case. Azul broke out of prison when being pursued by the drug lord Moco. Due to his mistaken identity, the mariachi had to defend himself by eventually killing and becoming part of this violence. The mariachi “fell in love” with a woman, Domino who was a girlfriend of Moco. As the Mariachi races to try to save Domino, he comes face to face with Moco, who has now become jealous of the mariachi. Upon finding Domino dead, Moco plans to put an end to the mariachi’s career by shooting him in the hand. After killing Moco, the mariachi leaves this unlucky town, riding off, cradling his hand which had been shot.

            The music gave importance and meaning to the scenes. The music was dark, with building of intensity when the violent scenes occurred. The music was soft and meaningful when the mariachi was portrayed. A mariachi is a singer. He gets to show his talents as Domino gives him a job at the bar she owns. His love ballad he performs leaves the listening audience loving his sound. The “bad” characters had stereotypically gruff, strong voices.