An acrid comedy showing a lucid reflection on man's manipulative capacity. This is a recommendable black comedy, a social parable, awarded and acclaimed at the 1985 Berlin Festival, perfectly shows the ethics and morals of contemporary man, forcing us to reflect on it . It deals with Leopoldo Contreras (Fernando Fernán Gómez) , an emeritus professor of Roman law who has serious economic problems . His translations of the classic authors do not give him money enough to live and he has had to sell even his flat. To remedy their poor situation is offered as a slave to an old student , Gonzalo Bárcena (Agustin González) , in exchange for house and food . Along the way , our eccentric professor attempts to break the rules of a distrustful and stingy society. Then a series of crazy and surreal situations take place in the Bárcena mansion .
A peculiar comedy of family and social customs through a story full of humanity that causes moral revulsion by not being able to accept how someone tries to break the sick rules and traditional conventions. Depicting the narrow-minded , arrogant , intolerant and repressive society at the time , being professionally written/produced by director Jaime de Armiñan . A fun as well as extravagant comedy in which a group of the highest-ranking Spanish actors prove their acting skillness . Jaime de Armiñan, once again , with his experience , sensitivity , his argumentative audacity , his simplicity devoid of intellectual pedantry presents us with an irreverent and provocative comedy that awakens our lowest instincts , feeling reflected in our double yardstick to measure our fellow men, our hypocrisy and our pettiness highlighted . Although the situation of Don Leopoldo, an endearing character, a professor with financial problems who decides to offer himself as a slave to a mediocre former student in exchange for a roof and food , seem absurd, it perfectly shows from the blackest and most daring humor , a ruthless society in which we live , a "gentlemen's agreement" where false appearances, ostentation, social careerism, arrogance, egoism, greed for economic power of a haughty class prevail at the expense of humility , wisdom, contempt for the material in exchange for friendship and company in the face of oblivion and loneliness . Including a series of selfish characters to which of them most hatefu l, from the sour servants , the curious little girls , the crafty wife and the presumptuous family patriarch . A decent and intelligent comedy, in which the subject of slavery is a pretext , an excuse to address what is really important, once again, the paradoxes of human behavior . Stico is a social fable with full of ingenuity and talent on individual liberties : "There is no freedom even to stop being free" , our illustrious protagonist declares after turning the social and moral estates upside down. A hilarious paranoia perpetrated by two geniuses of Spanish cinema like Jaime de Armiñan and Fernando Fernán Gómez . Masterfully interpreted by the latter and an adequate as well as histrionic Agustín González , both of whom maintain a huge interpretative duel . A comedy where the intelligent and cheeky dialogues hit the conscience and bring out our most hidden shame . It is, therefore, a scathing social portrait that hides under its friendly appearance a diabolical diatribe about the nature of the human being . Along with the two excellent protagonists , appearing here and there a good cast of secondaries , such as : Carme Elias , Amparo Baró, Mercedes Lezcano , Manuel Zarzo , Manuel Galiana , Beatriz Elorrieta, Joan Potau and film debut of the little girl María Botto , future great actress.
It contains a luminous and adequate cinematography by Teo Escamilla . Being compelling written and professionally directed by Jaime De Armiñan , shooting with much originality , being one of his best movies . Getting some nominations and prizes : 1986 Fotogramas de Plata Best Movie Actor Fernando Fernán Gómez . Berlin International Film Festival Fernando Fernán Gómez 1985 winner Silver Berlin Bear : Jaime de Armiñán ; 1985 Nominated Golden Berlin Bear . Jaime makes movies with the casual effortlessness of an inspired feeling . Armiñán dares to lead this dramedy with notable results , and offers us here an entertaining and brooding story . It's a major and important effort in his important cinematic career . An object of lesson by an old master filmmaker who will appeal his fans . Jaime De Armiñán was born on March 9 , 1927 in Madrid , where he often shoots his films . His first movie was a Marisol vehicle : Carola de dia , Carola de noche (1969) . Jaime is a writer and director , particularly known for Mi Querida Señorita (1972) , El Amor Del Capitán Brando (1974) , Stico (85) and Mi General (1987). Jaime Armiñan achieved several successes , such as : Jo , Papá (1975) , Al Servicio De La Mujer Española (1978) and especially El Nido (1980) and Hora Bruja (1985) at his best . Armiñan also directed great TV series , such as : Una Gloria Nacional (1993) , Cuentos Imposibles (84) and , of course , Juncal (1989) at his best . Rating : 6.5/10 . Better than average . Worthwhile watching .
