Obra maestra (2000)

Director:

David Trueba

Writer:

David Trueba (writer)

Release Date:

27 October 2000 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Two cinephile weirdos kidnap a famous actress to force her to star in a little movie they're making with an 8mm camera

Plot Keywords:

Kidnap | Film Within A Film | Black Comedy | Suicide Attempt

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Ariadna Gil	...	Amanda Castro
Santiago Segura	...	Benito Cañaveras
Pablo Carbonell	...	Carolo Suárez Perales
Luis Cuenca	...	Damián
Loles León	...	Catalina
Jesús Bonilla	...	Veterinario
Joserra Cadiñanos	...	Perfecto
Anabel Labrador	...	Novia Carolo
Manolo Codeso	...	Padre de Benito
Ana María Barbany	...	Madre de Benito
Concha Redondo	...	Abuela Benito
Alicia Cifredo	...	Cuñada Benito
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Luis Alegre	...	Segurata
Jimmy Barnatán	...	Lechero musical
José María Cañete	...	Suegro Carolo
Ismael Grasa	...	Segurate TVE
John Hopewell	...	James Cocorican (voice)
Ana Labordeta
Bárbara Lemus	...	Regidora TVE
Anabel Moreno	...	Mujer policia
Soledad Osorio	...	Mujer Damiàn
Luis Siepe
Janfri Topera	...	Maquinista TVE

Also Known As:

Masterpiece (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Spain:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Company:

Amiguetes Entertainment

Movie Connections:

Features Lola (1986)

Soundtrack:

Teach Me Tonight

Charming, and much better than the similarly-themed Cecil B. Demented

Obra Maestra ("Masterpiece" in Spanish) was released in Spain more or less at the same time as Cecil B. Demented, and this was quite a coincidence, since both movies have very a similar set-up: A famous actress is kidnapped by guerrilla filmmakers so she will star in their crazy no-budget stab at making a movie. This superficial similarity in the plot line can only have hindered Obra Maestra's chances at an international distribution, and this is really unfortunate, because the similarities end very soon, and Obra Maestra is so much better than John Waters's disjointed farce.

This is a truly charming gem of a movie with real heart, where there are no good or bad people but just three very different characters thrown together in an uncomfortable situation and trying to come to terms with their limitations. The evolution of the characters and their relationships feels credible, not at all forced, and you end up appreciating them and seeing both the good things and not-so-good things about them, just as they also learn to do. And on top of this, it's very funny as well. Carbonell and Segura are two of Spain's top comedians, and they're on great form here, their characters made even more ridiculous by playing against the "bitter bitch" Gil, who is basically reprising one of her usual roles and can do this in her sleep. The best thing is that, like all the best comedies, Obra Maestra can make you laugh, but also be very touching. Don't miss this film if you ever come across it, you won't regret it.