Maybe my expectations regarding this movie were too high...the truth is that I was pretty dissapointed with it.
It is, by no means, an award deserving movie, yet it won a few, including the Spanish Goya.
The story is predictable and full of cliches, and it would have been relevant maybe 30 years ago, but in 2022 feels dated and out of touch with the current problems in the work world.
Abuse of power, infidelity, crooked bosses, loving unsuspecting wife... the story meanders among many subjects (none specially engaging or interesting enough) without finding its tone.
Most of what happens onscreen feel forced and sometimes, outright ludicrous (Bardem, specially with his aging makeup, is way past his hearthrob years, which makes his affaire with a much younger, and pretty, girl quite improbable); while some subplots add nothing to the whole (Miralles' wife infidelity).
Bardem is never bad, but lately his performances are quite the same and unremarkable, and this one is no exception.
I dare say he is even outshined by some of his fellows (Celso Bugallo as Fortuna, gives a restrained and superb performance as the faithfull employee, as well as Oscar de la Fuente).
All in all, a mediocre movie, repetitive, outdated, and the worst of all, a little boring.
It is, by no means, an award deserving movie, yet it won a few, including the Spanish Goya.
The story is predictable and full of cliches, and it would have been relevant maybe 30 years ago, but in 2022 feels dated and out of touch with the current problems in the work world.
Abuse of power, infidelity, crooked bosses, loving unsuspecting wife... the story meanders among many subjects (none specially engaging or interesting enough) without finding its tone.
Most of what happens onscreen feel forced and sometimes, outright ludicrous (Bardem, specially with his aging makeup, is way past his hearthrob years, which makes his affaire with a much younger, and pretty, girl quite improbable); while some subplots add nothing to the whole (Miralles' wife infidelity).
Bardem is never bad, but lately his performances are quite the same and unremarkable, and this one is no exception.
I dare say he is even outshined by some of his fellows (Celso Bugallo as Fortuna, gives a restrained and superb performance as the faithfull employee, as well as Oscar de la Fuente).
All in all, a mediocre movie, repetitive, outdated, and the worst of all, a little boring.