Sin vergüenza

This is one of my favorite movies and one that I feel hits closest to the reality of an actor's life and struggles.

The one thing I like the best about it is its honesty regarding what actors are really like. While the movie shows the sense of community that develops among young actors struggling to make it in the acting life, the filmmakers also do not hesitate to show how actors can can also be selfish, conniving and self-centered. It doesn't romanticize the hard life of an aspiring and as such, ultimately becomes a valentine to actors and the acting life. In fact, the movie is dedicated to the several thousand strong acting community in Madrid.

But for those not really interested in the plight of aspiring actors, Sin Verguenza is also a charming and engaging romantic comedy. Veronica Forque is simply adorable as the head of the acting school and her awkward chemistry with co-star Daniel Gimenez Cacho is the source of much of the movie's humor.

When I first saw this film I remember comparing it to Tootsie, which is my other favorite film spotlighting aspiring actors. But in hindsight, for all Dustin Hoffman's intention to make the movie a tribute to struggling young actors, Tootsie is primarily a romantic comedy with insights into gender roles and how they affect relationships. As far as paying tribute to actors goes, Sin Verguenza is the real thing.

I have already seen this movie twice and I look forward to seeing it again in two weeks when it is screened at the Instituto Cervantes cultural institute here in Manila.