El Cortez (2005)

29% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(692 ratings)

An autistic ex-con attempting to readjust to life on the outside finds that the past isn't so easy to escape as he becomes caught in the middle of a deadly triple-cross in director Stephen Purvis' labyrinthine thriller. For five long years Manny (Lou Diamond Phillips) has repaid his debt to society… More An autistic ex-con attempting to readjust to life on the outside finds that the past isn't so easy to escape as he becomes caught in the middle of a deadly triple-cross in director Stephen Purvis' labyrinthine thriller. For five long years Manny (Lou Diamond Phillips) has repaid his debt to society by serving time in a prison for the criminally insane. Now the day of his parole has finally arrived, and after returning to Reno Manny takes up residence at a local motel and soon finds employment as a clerk at the Hotel El Cortez. Upon striking up an amiable friendship with crippled prospector Popcorn (Bruce Weitz), Manny is quickly recruited to help his new friend convince wealthy gambler Russo (Peter Onorati) to invest in the struggling gold-hunter's potentially prosperous mine. Complications soon arise, however, when Arnie (James McDaniel), the vengeful cop who had arrested Manny, pressures the mentally handicapped ex-con to keep an eye on local drug dealer Jack (Glenn Plummer) - who is currently staying in the same hotel as Manny. When Jack's scheming girlfriend Theda (Tracy Middendorf) learns about Popcorn's goldmine and subsequently attempts to seduce Manny in hopes of learning more, shifting alliances and deadly secrets thrust all involved into a murderous game of betrayal and death. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Stephen Purvis
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Oct 20, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Mar 27, 2007
Studio: Brazos Pictures

Critic Reviews

Michael Rechtshaffen, Hollywood Reporter
A clumsy lump of ponderous pulp fiction with Cooler aspirations.
Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times
El Cortez, like so many before it, searches for that nugget in the genre mine but just doesn't find it.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Somehow, El Cortez is stronger than its component parts.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Stick with Hitchcock.
Anita Gates, New York Times
Lou Diamond Phillips's character in El Cortez is a Reno hotel desk clerk who suffers from black-and-white flashbacks.
Luke Y. Thompson, L.A. Weekly
Every 'twist' is so telegraphed that there's little suspense here.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Director Stephen Purvis and writer Chris Haddock never rise above the material's inherent pulpiness, but they keep the twists coming until the very end.