Assassination Tango

The latest film written, directed, produced, and starring Robert Duvall wants to be a provocative exploration of a broken down man finding absolution in a sensual Spanish dance, but instead is a slow-paced and convoluted combination of several films in one. The veteran actor plays a father, boyfriend, beauty salon owner, professional hit man and possible child molester with questionable signs of dementia, all of which cause the complex man to float through scenes in a distracted daze in search of some mysterious source of solace. While in Argentina to kill a renowned military leader with a bunch of action movie clichés, Duvall meets an attractive tango dancer (Luciana Pedraza) who may have the answer he was looking for as the two build an ambiguous relationship that questions whether their love is for each other or for the dance. Duvall’s real life passion for the tango is obvious through his spellbinding choreography and energy. However, the stalling café scenes, contrived macho man murders and unanswered questions unintentionally assassinate the tango.