El Mariachi El Mariachi El Mariachi is a 1992 American contemporary western action film and the first installment in the saga that came to be known as Robert Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy". It marked the feature length debut of Rodriguez as writer and director. The Spanish language film was shot with a mainly amateur cast in the northern Mexican bordertown of Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico across from Del Rio, Texas, the home town of leading actor Carlos Gallardo. The US$7,225 production was originally intended for the Mexican home video market, but executives at Columbia Pictures liked the film and bought the American distribution
Mariachi Gringo a small-town mariachi, selling out to a flashy, big-name band. During his first live show he discovers he was only included in the band as a gimmick and he quits, enraged. He tries to return to his native town, only to find out he doesn't fit anymore. Upon returning to Guadalajara, he learns that Lilia finally left. He then joins Sophia's band, becomin a small-town, regular mariachi as he always wanted. "Mariachi Gringo" received positive reviews from film critics. Appraisal was generally directed at the direction, music, and performances by some of the cast, in particular Shawn Ashmore in the