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As Luck Would Have It

Original title: La chispa de la vida
  • 20112011
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Salma Hayek, Juan Luis Galiardo, Blanca Portillo, Fernando Tejero, and José Mota in La chispa de la vida (2011)
An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
15 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama

An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.

IMDb RATING
6.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Álex de la Iglesia
  • Writers
    • Randy Feldman(screenplay)
    • Álex de la Iglesia(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • José Mota
    • Salma Hayek
    • Blanca Portillo
Top credits
  • Director
    • Álex de la Iglesia
  • Writers
    • Randy Feldman(screenplay)
    • Álex de la Iglesia(adaptation)
  • Stars
    • José Mota
    • Salma Hayek
    • Blanca Portillo
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 53Critic reviews
    • 32Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 1:33
    Theatrical Version

    Photos15

    Juanjo Puigcorbé in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    José Mota in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek and Eduardo Casanova in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek and Fernando Tejero in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek, Antonio Garrido, and José Mota in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Salma Hayek in La chispa de la vida (2011)
    La chispa de la vida (2011)
    Juanjo Puigcorbé in La chispa de la vida (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    José Mota
    José Mota
    • Robertoas Roberto
    Salma Hayek
    Salma Hayek
    • Luisaas Luisa
    Blanca Portillo
    Blanca Portillo
    • Mercedesas Mercedes
    Juan Luis Galiardo
    Juan Luis Galiardo
    • Alcaldeas Alcalde
    Fernando Tejero
    Fernando Tejero
    • Johnnyas Johnny
    Manuel Tallafé
    • Claudioas Claudio
    • (as Manuel Tallafe)
    Antonio Garrido
    Antonio Garrido
    • Dr. Velascoas Dr. Velasco
    Carolina Bang
    Carolina Bang
    • Pilar Álvarezas Pilar Álvarez
    Eduardo Casanova
    Eduardo Casanova
    • Lorenzoas Lorenzo
    Nerea Camacho
    Nerea Camacho
    • Bárbaraas Bárbara
    Joaquín Climent
    Joaquín Climent
    • Javier Gándaraas Javier Gándara
    • (as Joaquin Climent)
    Juanjo Puigcorbé
    Juanjo Puigcorbé
    • Álvaro Aguirreas Álvaro Aguirre
    • (as Juanjo Puigcorbe)
    Antonio de la Torre
    Antonio de la Torre
    • Kiko Seguraas Kiko Segura
    José Manuel Cervino
    José Manuel Cervino
    • Presidenteas Presidente
    • (as Jose Manuel Cervino)
    Santiago Segura
    Santiago Segura
    • David Solaras David Solar
    Nacho Vigalondo
    Nacho Vigalondo
    • Martínas Martín
    Angie Paúl
    • Agente Mujeras Agente Mujer
    • (as Angie Paul)
    Diego Calderón
    Diego Calderón
    • Asistenteas Asistente
    • (as Diego Calderon)
    • Director
      • Álex de la Iglesia
    • Writers
      • Randy Feldman(screenplay)
      • Álex de la Iglesia(adaptation) (uncredited)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.
    • accident
    • social satire
    • corruption
    • brain surgery
    • bare feet
    • 30 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Salma Hayek worked in the movie 18 days.
    • Connections
      References The Day of the Beast (1995)

    User reviews10

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Comedy , drama and amusement by offbeat filmmaker Alex De La Iglesia
    ¨As Luck Would Have It¨ (La Chispa De La Vida) deals with an out-of-work publicist (Jose Mota) and once popular ad exec can't catch a break, until a freak accident at a Roman theater located in Cartagena puts him at the center of a media frenzy, he hires an agent (Fernando Tejero) to help him cash in on his life-or-death situation in an attempt to provide money for his family . Roberto's loving wife (Salma Hayek) tries to convince him he's worth more alive than dead .

    Dramatic comedy follows an unemployed advertising executive as he looks for work , ultimately becoming the focal point of media attention when he falls into a precarious situation . This is a full-on surreal psychotronic black-comedy that blends emotion , thrills , comedy , tension as well as an interesting script full of dark humor ,outrageous drama , odd /selfish characters and exciting situations . This satirical melodrama explores the greedy nature between the media and public consumption . Eloy De La Iglesia moves out from under the literal big top and sets his sites on the mass media , probably as close to a modern circus as you can get . De la Iglesia reigns in his style this time around and delivers a utterly watchable takedown of ambition and media obsession that certainly delivers a few madly inspired moments . But while he tips his hat knowingly to films like Network and Billy Wilder's ¨Ace in the Hole¨, the end result is curiously toothless, and far less outlandish , intense and angry than either of those media-satire hallmarks . The film works on various levels and is constantly reconfigured , however contains some embarrassing , contriving moments and also certain excess . Acceptable performance by José Mota as an executive who has been out of work for a long time and suffers an accident and attempts to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder . A real standout by Salma Hayek , Mexican-born actress certainly makes up for her short stature with her performance in the film, receiving much praise for her role . Excellent plethora of secondaries such as the recently deceased Juan Luis Galiardo , Joaquin Climent , Juanjo Puigcorbe , Blanca Portillo and Alex De la Iglesia's ordinary actors such as Santiago Segura , Manuel Tallafé , Fernando Tejero , Enrique De La Torre and Carolina Bang whose partner is the director . Colorful and glimmer cinematography by Kiko De La Rica . Thrilling as well as emotive musical score by Joan Valent , the soundtrack flows great with the film in every way, and creates enjoyable atmospheres in every moment.

    The motion picture was well directed by the king of black comedy , Alex De La Iglesia , though failed at the Spanish Box office . He's a cool director has got much success as ¨Accion Mutante¨ ,¨Dying of laughter¨ or ¨Muertos De Risa¨ , ¨Baby's room¨ , ¨Oxford murders¨ and ¨Balada Triste De Una Trompeta¨ and winner of several Goyas (Spanish Oscars), however his movies have not yet reached box office in USA, but he has strong followers . Nonsense, ridicule , laughters , absurdity , disturbing scenes .. and many other issues ; you can find everything in this flick . The movie is a lot of fun, especially for those who enjoy surrealist humor . This is without a doubt a thrilling and enjoyable movie to be enjoyed for dark humor buffs and Alex De Iglesia fans.
    helpful•9
    4
    • ma-cortes
    • Aug 30, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 13, 2012 (Spain)
    • Countries of origin
      • Spain
      • France
      • United States
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • The Spark of Life
    • Filming locations
      • Cartagena, Murcia, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Alfresco Enterprises
      • Trivisión S.L.
      • La Ferme! Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,340,269
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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