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The Motive

Original title: El autor
  • 2017
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
6.9K
YOUR RATING
Javier Gutiérrez in The Motive (2017)
Watch Tráiler [OVS]
Play trailer1:58
2 Videos
20 Photos
Dark ComedyComedyCrimeDrama

A man obsessed with the idea of writing "high literature" starts to cause conflicts around him to write about it.A man obsessed with the idea of writing "high literature" starts to cause conflicts around him to write about it.A man obsessed with the idea of writing "high literature" starts to cause conflicts around him to write about it.

  • Director
    • Manuel Martín Cuenca
  • Writers
    • Javier Cercas
    • Alejandro Hernández
    • Manuel Martín Cuenca
  • Stars
    • Javier Gutiérrez
    • María León
    • Adelfa Calvo
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    6.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Manuel Martín Cuenca
    • Writers
      • Javier Cercas
      • Alejandro Hernández
      • Manuel Martín Cuenca
    • Stars
      • Javier Gutiérrez
      • María León
      • Adelfa Calvo
    • 24User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 18 wins & 30 nominations total

    Videos2

    Tráiler [OVS]
    Trailer 1:58
    Tráiler [OVS]
    Tráiler [OV]
    Trailer 1:59
    Tráiler [OV]
    Tráiler [OV]
    Trailer 1:59
    Tráiler [OV]

    Photos20

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    + 15
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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Javier Gutiérrez
    Javier Gutiérrez
    • Álvaro
    María León
    María León
    • Amanda
    Adelfa Calvo
    Adelfa Calvo
    • Portera
    Adriana Paz
    Adriana Paz
    • Irene
    Tenoch Huerta
    Tenoch Huerta
    • Enrique
    Rafael Téllez
    • Sr. Montero
    Antonio de la Torre
    Antonio de la Torre
    • Juan
    Domi del Postigo
    • Presentador
    José Carlos Carmona
    • Jesús
    Alberto González
    • Don Alfonso
    Craig Stevenson
    • Craig McCallan (Conferenciante)
    José Chaves
    José Chaves
    • Marido Portera
    Juanfra Juárez
    • Álex
    Juan Carlos Villanueva
    • Juez
    Amanuel Cadaval
    • Niño
    Moisés Suárez
    • Guardia Civil
    José Antonio Aguilar
    • Cliente notaría
    El Porrúo
    • Preso armario
    • Director
      • Manuel Martín Cuenca
    • Writers
      • Javier Cercas
      • Alejandro Hernández
      • Manuel Martín Cuenca
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    6.56.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8ionsagarzazu

    A Good movie with better actors!

    Great spanish movie, all the actors are amazing!!!
    6msbodurtr-304-25985

    Immersive but unnecessary nudity

    Good movie and nudity is generally ok for me but in this movie contains unnecessary nudity which is disturbing. But I always admire that Javier Gutierrez is an excellent actor.
    6ma-cortes

    A wannabe writer very well interpreted by Javier Gutierrez creates a lot of problems around him

    Set in 2017 Sevilla, Andalucia . A man called Alvaro , Javier Gutierrez, newly separated to his wife, Maria Leon, is obsessed with the idea of writing High Literature . He is really disturbing due to his lack of artistic inspiration, opposite his spouse who won Andalucian Literature award. That's why he moves to another block where he spies to the unfortunate neighbours to encounter stories to write down. As he has relationship with a mature, fatty block caretaker, a wealthy old man with Francoist ideas, and two Mexican inmmigrants whom he hears through the bathroom window about an imminent dismissal. But then things go wrong and happenings out of control.

    A provoking and brooding film with dramatic events, a little bit of hilarious touches and snappy sentences. The interesting premise results to be starred by a clumsy Notary clerk who being fired becomes a failed and with not inspiration writer, discovering along the way a motley group of characters and taking advantage of them by manipulating and deceiving one by one . Javier Gutierrez gives a nice acting as a mature man, a wannabe writer who doesn't find the necessary inspiration and that is the razon for exploring other lives by messing with the personal existences at the apartment building in which he lives by renting, once he left his prior home. Javier Gutierrez is finely supported by nice secondaries such as Antonio de La Torre as the literature teacher who harasses insistently Alvaro to learn to write, Maria Leon as his sucessful wife who is unfaithful with another lover, Adelfa Calvo as the sexually unsatisfied caretaker and the immigrant marriage performed by Tenoch Huerta and Adriana Paz.

    It packs a colorful and appropriate cinematography by Pau Esteve, as well as enjoyable musical score, including songs sung by the popular singer Jose Luis Perales. The motion picture was original and competently directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca, though it turns out to be slow moving and a bit boring. Manuel Martin Cuenca has established himself as one of Spain's most artistically astute directors, his works consist in thoughtful stories, evolving in skillness and style. Martin Cuenca was born in 1965 Almeria, Andalucia, region where he usually shoots his films. He is a good writer and director, especially known for La mitad de Oscar 2010, La flaqueza del Bolchevique 2003, Malas Temporadas 2005, 4 puntos cardinales and for TV: El Tesoro and 14 Abril La Republica. Being his best one : Cannibal or Canibal 2013. Rating : 6.5/10. Worthwhile watching. The picture will appeal to Spanish cinema fans.
    7zylor

    Funny, interesting, relaxing Spanish film

    The funny story of a man who wanted desperately to become a writer and writing "The Book" of his life, true and authentic literature. The lack of inspiration and self confidence combined with the fact that his wife (another writer who achieved success) cheats him with someone else, make him rent a flat and seek inspiration and a story for his book. At his teacher/ mentor's advice he starts seeking a story in real life, more exactly in the block he rented the apartment. Trying to write a good story he befriends with a few neighbors, sometimes overreacting or hiding the truth hoping he will have an effect for his book, a good story to write about. The film is interesting, funny but not very brilliant in some ways. I would say it's a good movie, but not a very complicated one. The actors are doing a great job, so it is a worth watching film, the watcher will not be bored.
    7siipola

    The drama stealer

    This entertaining drama will seem really funny for those who are also writing and procrastinates when there are no new ideas in mind. The concept - one house but different connected stories are nothing new, but it had its tensions and twists!

    Altogether, failed intellectual, old puma, immigrants and grumpy chess player keeps the viewers clueless about the outcome.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Juan: Who the hell is this James? And Rose? What the hell is up with them? All this has no soul. It has no soul, because you don't know what the hell you're talking about ! You don't know what the hell you're talking about ! The reality is out there. I've told you all a thousand times, roll your sleeves up, get out there, look around for stories. How many times did I tell you that?

    • Connections
      Referenced in Lo siguiente: Javier Gutiérrez (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Algunas veces
      Written and performed by José Luis Perales

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    FAQ17

    • How long is The Motive?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 17, 2017 (Spain)
    • Countries of origin
      • Spain
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Mobile
    • Filming locations
      • Paseo de la O, Sevilla, Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain(location)
    • Production companies
      • Icónica Producciones
      • Alebrije Cine y Video
      • Canal Sur Televisión
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €2,300,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $772,690
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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