El buen patrón

The writing of the dialogue is terrific. Every carefully-scripted word and situation is loaded with bad blood, mercilessly shelling out the miseries of labor relations in Spain. Bardem's performance as a paternalistic and cronyistic businessman is superlative. A necessary condition to fully enjoy the film, since everything revolves around him. A tad slow development of the story notwithstanding (stylistically justified around a metaphor of balancing the scales?), we are in for a ride.

It would appear comforting that there are still companies out there that genuinely care about the welfare of their employees, treating them like members of a big, loving family. And that's the image that Blanco Scales tries to convey, one that's placed the organization in the running for a regional business award, one of many such honors it has received over the years. Making this possible is the company's owner, a kindly paternal sort who seems concerned about the well-being of his staff - that is, insofar as it affects the company's welfare. This approach, however, often leads to undue meddling in the lives of workers, so much so that the boss will go to almost any lengths to achieve his goals by way of his employees and their families, especially when it comes to reflecting the proper image he's trying to project, a practice ultimately fraught with troubling complications. Writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa's latest serves up a biting satire about the business world and the extremes to which businesses will go to present squeaky clean, politically correct portraits of themselves to an easily gullible public, tactfully burying the compromises and questionable tactics they often must do in realizing that goal. This offering is a perfect vehicle for Javier Bardem as the oily protagonist, playing the part with just the right amount of insincerity to be convincing without looking cartoonish, in a role backed by a superb ensemble of supporting characters. It's regrettable that the picture gets off to a painfully slow start during much of the first hour, but the film more than makes up for this shortcoming in the second half, turning wickedly funny and occasionally disquieting in the second half. Be patient with this one, giving it ample time to develop; you won't be disappointed with the payoff.

Javier Bardem performs the character of a seemingly likeable fatherly figure boss that is extremely twisted, rule-bending and immoral underneath, perfectly. Even though at times the script is incredibly cringe and hyperbolic, this satire successfully delivers the message of the limits that corruption and corporate world can make people reach. It is a comedy that you leave feeling more disturbed than a drama or a thriller.

This movie manages to be both terrifically funny and very much down to earth at the same time. The story contains enough twists and turns expanding throughout an eventful week to keep you invested enough. But there comes Bardem and makes everything glorious just with his face and his amazingly expressive eyes. A great Spanish movie, I would dare to say it may be one of the finest of the year. Not to be missed!

Fame and reputation is the priority of the boss with repeated spotlight shown on the wall of company awards. He takes huge pride and greatness of his achievements by indulging in all the fake commitments to his employees. They are not family, just resources to get things done. Last survey scene is so sarcastic with feminism, diversity and caring for elders in the company. All about balance. If not balanced, make it balanced. Like a bullet.