Film review: ‘OFFICIAL COMPETITION’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

Having opened the Moro Spanish Film Festival earlier in the year and now screening in general release is the movie industry satire, Official Competition.  The film, which stars two of Spain’s most famous actors, Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, is largely a dig at weird, egotistical actors and the slightly ridiculous world they inhabit.

Penelope Cruz plays lauded arthouse director Lola Cuevas who is hired by an ageing billionaire Jose Luiz Gomez (Humberto Suárez) to direct a film that he hopes will be his cultural legacy and make him appear more than just a ruthless capitalist. To ensure its artistic and commercial success, Lola recruits renowned thespian Ivan Torres (Oscar Martinez) and cinema superstar Felix Rivero (Antonio Banderas).  Unfortunately, this pairing of the pretentious artist Ivan and brash movie star Felix turns out to be a match made in hell.

Much of the film depicts their fractious rehearsals as the two vain stars develop a mutual and increasingly hostile contempt for one another and constantly try to prove (if only to themselves) who’s the superior actor.  All the while Lola subjects them to her weird methods of getting actors into character such as having a crane suspend a giant rock over their heads as they read lines or violently forcing them to relinquish some of the trappings of their career success.

Fans of quirky humour about oddball behaviour and the foibles of the arrogant and over-privileged will delight in this film as many in the very large and appreciative Astor audience did.  A gag about snobbish musical tastes and the desperate need for people like Ivan to appear clever is a highlight.  Some, though, may feel that much of this film is essentially a movie industry insider joke and they might have difficulty connecting with the humour.

Few, however, could deny that the three leads are wonderful as they amusingly and convincingly infuse their characters with all manner of neuroses and personal hang-ups.  They manage to make Ivan, Felix and Lola charming and contemptible at the same time.  Cruz is particularly good and following a terrific performance in Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers, she’s having a fine year on screen.

Some may find the limited setting of the rehearsal space at Gomez’ vast empty home a little off-putting but the imposing modernist architecture gives the film a striking and unusual look.

This film won’t capture everyone with its unusual charms but those who love satires of the entertainment and artistic world will no doubt adore it.

Nick’s rating: ***1/2.

Genre: Drama/ comedy.

Classification: M.

Director(s): Mariano Cohn & Gastón Duprat.

Release date:  21st July 2022.

Running time: 114 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm right here on 88.3 Southern FM.

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