It is a movie that did not do well in the Toronto Film Festival in 2002. Because of that, certain portions of the film were re-shot in Buenos Aires. Even still, the movie provoked discussion on the Tango-L listserv. It has been criticized for its "weak" plot. I find the plot less complicated than Sally Porter's "Tango Lesson," and the style of dancing to be less of the "fantasy tango" style and more of the salon style that you see in Buenos Aires today. This movie will have definite appeal to milongueros and tango junkies, as well as some die-hard ballroom dancers.

I loved the dancing in the movie, and I really wish there was more of it. A few years ago, I was pleased to have seen some of the people in the movie dance several years ago at Duvall's farm in northern Virginia. This is the kind of dancing I like. I would love it if there were a "director's cut" of this movie available soon. I would be the first to buy it.

Duvall is a director of modest talent. The movie is supposedly about a overage professional killer who must travel to Argentina to assassinate a retired general who is allegedly guilty of crimes against humanity. None of this ever makes any logical sense. But the dancing and the beautiful cinematography are exhilarating. Duvall has the extraordinary talent to turn meandering dialogues into riveting scenes. We are entranced by his characters adoration of the girlfriends daughter. The flirtations between John J. Anderson (Duvall) and the gorgeous and significantly younger tango instructor Manuella (Luciana Pedraza) are poignant and even a bit touching. Assassination Tango is definitely not for everyone. I give it four stars, and recommend it only to those who believe that great acting alone can salvage a less than well put together script. In many respects Assassination Tango is nothing more than Robert Duvalls grandiose ego trip. Nonetheless, it still might be well worth an evening of your time.