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El Gringo: Will she keep the change?

The movie El Gringo carries a similar thematic element recollecting the experience of that of

The Book of Eli; a single man struggling to civilize the chaotic world. Very much like Elisapocalyptic substance, Gringo too is set in a context where Americans have devastated a

Mexican city and left it to the underground evil to take over (like Afghanistan). Rememberingthe Robin Hood style, Gringo distributes among the poor once much desired wealth meant for his

own subjective end. In the place of material wealth it substitutes a destitute woman to fill the

void in spirituality. Common for any Hollywood genre, this film too suggests that a single hero

can bring order back to us instead of collective human actions.

Gringo arrives to this city after his fellow police officers were shot dead by a group of Mexican

thugs believed to be run by Acapulco, nasty gangsters emerged to the vacation of Americans.

After series of dreadful events Gringo sets foot to the city wanting some drinking water which is

denied all the way through even to five thousand dollars. No water represents not only the

physical barrenness but the hardness of the inhabitants and their relentlessness after some

traumatic occurrences. The water initially coming out from the tap was full of contaminationwhich illustrates the corruption that spoils the existence of the beings. There is no apparent

symbolic authority to govern the city but a pervert anti-Oedipus false paternity, which simply

plays with the Law. But unlike in Eli, people still remembers what Law means and how to be

obedient to symbolic order. In people, we can still see the function of a big Other or justice (and

what is right) is structured in their minds as a Master Signifier which finally drives them towards

universal good.

Though Gringo could easily escape with his bag full of money after his confrontation with West,

the culprit who betrayed everyone, he returns to this city of chaos from the Mexican broader. He

wanted to save Anna whom he fell in love with during his short stay in the city. Eventually, after

his return, he could almost kill all the gangsters and bring back order. He takes the police badge

from Acapulco (once a Police officer himself) and places it in the hands of Anna symbolizing the

return of Law and establishment of safety in the city. It signifies that until one day we reach

universal humanity where no police is needed to control our behavior, police can function as a

real father-figure to establish order in the world. It also shows gratitude towards the profession

her father stood for and revenge for his untimely death. Before the money bag is thrown toward

people, Anna asks Gringo it is big money, what are you going to do with it? Gringo replies that

he would want a big glass of water with that money and she can keep the change. The glass of

water is what he could not buy from this city even for a big money like five thousand dollars. But

with goodness he received more than a glass of water from Anna for no money. Money could not

buy virtues, no it can buy love. So, he throws money away and seems not want to go to his

previous destination El Fronteras. When everybody throws their weapons away and even the

gangster girl stabs her own leader, Gringo can leave the city as justice has taken over again.

Should he stop here with Anna?

Why does he say that she should keep the change? Is it because he receives her body in return to

change? Or is it because after all these adventures and fulfillments, there is still in us that cannot

be filled (the change; the remaining after the deal) with a female body? Can she keep his change?

She can. But he should precede his journey until he meets eternal peace where there is no change

or balance to exchange any more. That is the ultimate happiness which he can gain. Eli embraces

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his death with no balance in his hand after fulfilling his earthly duty. Gringo should go on in the

same path because duty to himself is so far not done.