It tells the story of the Padre (Roth), a small-time con man on the run from his dogged pursuers, U.S. Court Justice Nemes (Nolte) and local police officer Gaspar (Guzmán). When the Padre is caught mid-con, he flees the scene in a stolen car, unaware that a precocious 16-year-old girl, Lena (Henriquez), is stowing away in the back seat. After she blackmails him into letting her join his journey, the duo plan their biggest heist yet - not always aware of the dangers of working with each other and the law closing in on them.
"The Padre" isn't a sharp genre creation, but there's a compelling feel for the culture and desperation, dusted with just a little bit of humor to ease appreciation.
Director Jonathan Sobol and screenwriter Stephen Kunc effectively replicate the tone and eccentricity of a pulp paperback but can't arrange all their good ideas into anything solid.
In a sense it's pleasant to see Nolte, Roth and Guzmán settling into their roles as if they were old slippers, but these great performers aren't completely outfitted to settle for Greatest Hits work.
