We always complain that Hindi films remind us of some Hollywood film. But with Bandidas, it’s just the opposite. Watch this Hollywood B-grader and it will instantly remind you of the hackneyed Bollywood potboilers of the 80s. Remember those conniving zamindars who would play foul with the villagers to get hold of their piece of land. Bandidas very much revolves around the same plot (pun intended).

Set in Mexico in the 1800, it’s a story about two Hispanic chicks – one a pampered daughter (Salma Hayek) of a village head and other a simpleminded girl (Penelope Cruz) of a village farmer. The former’s father is murdered and the latter’s father is attempted murdered by a ruthless enforcer (Dwight Yoakam) who terrorizes their town. This Hollywood zamindar is attempting to set up his own banking corporation in the Mexican lands. So our tomboy cowgirls join hands and form a bank-robbing duo to get back to their oppressor.

With its Mexican cowboy setting, the film is designed as a Westerner classic but fails to create a stamp of its own. The action in the film isn’t the kind that one is used to see in present generation slick Hollywood actioners. With its period setting, the guns are replaced by pistols and the bikes are substituted by horses. Though the stunts justify the periodic setting, it doesn’t impress much. The bank-robbing stints comprise a major part of the screenplay. But don’t expect a Reservoir Dogs or an Ocean’s Eleven kinda intelligent heist.
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Despite all its lousy ends, the one thing that still makes you sit till the end is the ‘hot and spicy’ combination of Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz. This unique casting essentially is the USP of the film. The two gorgeous girls perfectly compliment each other. With their diverse characterizations of a dumb village girl (Cruz) and a sophisticated educated lass (Hayek), the two have ample arguments and fights that ironically only adds to their splendid chemistry. The major part of the film’s humour comes through their constant bickering. Not to forget, the vibrant sex appeal of the duo will have you besotted. And before you expect too much, let me clarify that you won’t get to see much except for liberal doses of cleavage and smooches. But despite that the two stunning beauties will leave you bedazzled.

But beyond the skin of its leading ladies the film lacks beauty in every sense. A movie ticket isn’t worth it. Neither renting a DVD on a Sunday afternoon an ideal idea. The maximum you can do is borrow from a friend (that’s if anybody has this film). Else a rerun of Devdas on your cable is better option than Bandidas.