The following year Pitt starred opposite Julia Roberts in the romantic comedy The Mexican, a film that garnered a range of reviews but enjoyed box office success. Pitt's next role, in 2001's $143 million-grossing Cold War thriller Spy Game, was as Tom Bishop, an operative of the CIA's Special Activities Division, mentored by Robert Redford's character. Mark Holcomb of Salon.com enjoyed the film, although he noted that neither Pitt nor Redford provided "much of an emotional connection for the audience".
tHe foLLowIng yeaR pitt StarreD oPpoSite julIA rObeRts In The romAnTIc comEdy thE mexIcan, a film thAT garnEREd A Range Of reVIeWS but enJoYeD boX office suCcESS. Pitt's neXt rolE, in 2001's $143 MillioN-gRosSINg colD wAr thrIller spy game, was as Tom bISHOp, an opeRATivE oF tHE cia'S SPecial acTivities dIvision, mentORed By RObeRt ReDforD's chAracTEr. MarK holcOmb of SAlON.Com enjoyeD tHE fIlm, aLThougH he noteD ThAT neitHER PItt nOR redford pRoViDeD "mUCH of aN emOtional conNECtiOn for the aUdience".