El método (2005)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Marcelo Piñeyro

Writers:

Jordi Galcerán (play)
Mateo Gil (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 September 2005 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Message | Revelation | Eating | Bitterness | Rage

Awards:

10 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Eduardo Noriega	...	Carlos
Najwa Nimri	...	Nieves
Eduard Fernández	...	Fernando
Pablo Echarri	...	Ricardo
Ernesto Alterio	...	Enrique
Natalia Verbeke	...	Montse
Adriana Ozores	...	Ana
Carmelo Gómez	...	Julio

Also Known As:

El método Grönholm (Spain) (working title)
The Method (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

Argentina | Spain | Italy

Language:

Spanish | English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:13 | Brazil:18 | Argentina:13 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Company:

Tornasol Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When Julio ask others if they have the same message in their computer screens, they answer no. In the next take its clearly seen that the message appears in all computer screens.

Gripping, exciting, thought provoking, and all around brilliant!

From the moment all the main characters are gathered inside the conference room, you know you're in for a rare treat. The first part plays out like a classic, Agatha Christie-like whodunit, where you know just as much as the rest of the characters, and are as qualified as they are to make your assumptions.

The rest of the movie is just as interactive. The method of restricting our point of view to that of the character's makes you as much a part of what's going on as they are. It almost feels like a reality TV show, where you get to be one of the judges.

From the get-go, the movie grips you. It doesn't waste any moment and delves straight into the drama. The actors all do such an excellent job that you can't take your eyes off the screen. The pacing is perfect - here is not a dull moment - and the film's structure is brilliant.

There is one particular recurring motif which first appears in the first few scenes - dividing the screen into thirds. See if you can find similar compositional arrangements in key moments and deduce their meaning. It is the kind of movie where every tiny element serves a purpose (symbollic or otherwise), and it will make you think. Don't get me wrong - you will enjoy the movie as pure entertainment. But those who wish to search for deeper meanings, commentary about human nature, subtle social critique etc. will be far from disappointed.

In my opinion, the movie was perfect in every way (reminding me of "12 Angry Men", one of my all time favorites). I can't urge you enough to go see it. It is one of the best movies of the year.