Official Competition

Opinion seems to be divided here about whether this is a comedy, possibly because the humour is pretty dark. Maybe some weren't laughing because they could see the jokes coming a mile off. But I still guffawed about half a dozen times, even if the portrayal of egotistical and vain actors was familiar and a little cliched. Possibly another reason some didn't laugh so much was on account of the robust, sometimes bracing humour which doesn't kow-tow to political correctness. Some laughed at the scene in which the elderly producer's daughter, cast to keep him on side and providing finance, is basically molested by each actor and finally ravished on the floor by Penelope Cruz, but I actually found it slightly shocking and unnecessary. There's also a lot of misogyny directed at Cruz by the warring male actors, although she does play several cruel tricks on them. So not 'light' but dark comedy, I would say. Great performances all round, I especially liked Oscar Martinez.

This movie criticizes movie actors and directors, but from a funny perspective where satire dominates the entire movie.

This story reflects in a funny way two different types of actors, although they seem caricatured, in reality they can have that personality, it also portrays how ridiculous and pretentious some directors can be, adding some exaggerated ways of directing the actors. The story also tells how to prepare the actors to make a movie, which is interesting and works as a starting point to create an unfriendly environment between the characters. The performances are spectacular, and the script doesn't ramble into unnecessary situations, although at the beginning it may be difficult to connect with the story, the rest of the time it is very enjoyable and funny.

It's a good movie that not only serves as a distraction, but also takes us a little deeper into the process it takes to make a movie, specifically the relationship between the actors and with their characters.

As "Official Competition" (2021 release from Spain; 115 min.) opens, the now 80 yr old ultra-rich CEO of a pharmaceutical decides that he wants to be remembered for something special. Maybe build a bridge? No, he decides to finance a movie with the best director and the best actors. Shortly thereafter he is introduced to Lola Cuevas, and she suggests ti adapt a book called "Rivalry" to the big screen, and cast the 2 best actors in the world, Felix and Ivan, in the roles of the two brothers. At this point we are 10 min into the movie.

Couple of comments: I can't say that I was familiar with the co-directors from Argentina, Gaston Duprat and Mariano Cohn, but all you need to know about this film is that it stars Penelope Cruz (as Lula), Antonio, Antonio Banderas (as Felix), and Oscar Martinez (as Ivan). Much of the movie feels like a theater play, as the movie plays out mostly among the three of them in rehearsals for the upcoming shoot. But then the last half hour comes... Just watch! As I was watching the movie, I was debating with myself who among these three performers was going the "best" job, but in the end that is an impossible task to determine. Instead, sit back, relax and enjoy the film for these outstanding performances, nothing more, nothing less.

"Official Competition" premiered at last yea's Venice Film Festival to immediate acclaim, and it is currently rate 94% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie opened this weekend at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati. The July 4 Monday matinee show was not attended well (exactly 8 people including myself). No matter. If you are interested in a foreign movie that featuring 3 performers at the top of their game, I'd readily suggest you check this out and raw your own conclusion.

A very original film with subtle humour. The film makers are clearly afficionados of classic art films and their work is positively influenced by masters like Luis Bunuel and Jacques Tati.

All three main actors (Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martinez) are at the top of their game. The script is brilliant and, without being didactic, is conducive to further meditation on what is acting, what is fiction and what is real. Although many films tackle the subject of "film within a film" showing the process behind the camera and the long preparations before actually shooting, "Official Competition" shows what actors' egos is really like (even the character played by Oscar Ramirez who pretends not to be interested by awards, secretly rehearses a speech in case he wins an Oscar...), and we get a glimpse into the director' s mind and vision and insistence on perfection, with doubt never too far away (brilliantly conveyed by Penelope Cruz).

A treat ! Not to be missed !

The three stars of this movie are Penélope Cruz as famous director Lola Cuevas, Antonio Banderas as famous actor Félix Rivero, and Oscar Martínez as another famous actor Iván Torres. In a stroke of good planning the three actors also are the producers.

A wealthy businessman turning 80 wants to be remembered for something. Maybe build a bridge and name it for him? No, he finally decides to buy the rights to a novel and have a movie made. Lola will direct, Felix and Ivan will star as the brothers in a broken family relationship.

The two actor characters each have large egos, the title could be a reference to their competition with each other during rehearsals. But also near the end, when a news conference is being held, it is at an "official competition."

I will not say more about the contents of the movie, suffice to say it is brilliantly scripted and executed. Some small, seemingly insignificant, things we see during the middle of the movie return to be very important as the final scenes roll. A really entertaining and thinking person's movie.

It is in Spanish with English subtitles, which isn't my favorite way to watch a movie, but it was not difficult to both read and watch.