The Method (2005)

I love this movie so much

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

A top-notch cast under superb direction by Marcelo Piñeyro makes this movie above average in every aspect . During IMF & World Bank Summit and demonstrations which upset Madrid, like other big cities , seven candidates report for a job interview . Protesters rise up in public protest in the street over the IMF-World Bank Summit attempting globalization of workers unions . As the group interview begins high above in a corporate meeting room where are the applicants for the difficult competition . Major corporation Dekia holds interviews a lot of applicants , these are the followings : Eduardo Noriega as Carlos , Najwa Nimri as Nieves , Eduard Fernández as Fernando , Pablo Echarri as Ricardo , Ernesto Alterio as Enrique , Carmelo Gómez as Julio and Adriana Ozores as Ana . Their doubts begin when they must sign a clause accepting the Grönholm method, which nobody ever heard . Attended by a secretary well played by the beautiful Natalia Verbeke , they become involved into twisted problems , complicated tests , verbal attacks and contra-attacks and many other things . There are some computers which show different messages to each of the roles , and when they are eliminated from the test , the computer gives out a "no signal" . It soon becomes clear the questions are dirty mind games, but never what is true and what the trick . They also have to guess who among them is the enterprise mole and must decide who the traitor is . When HR goes too far the events go awry . This is a brooding film in which there is a psychologically intense studio to recruit a top executive from seven applicants . There are battles of wits among varied group of applicants as their priorities, ethics and loyalty are put trough stressing tests . It is a deep as well as engaging exam about the job application process . Though the whole movie is set in an office room it never lacks for taut , suspense , intrigue and inspired direction . The struggle behind closed doors , as they repeatedly eliminate one of their number from the procedure ; it results to be tense , charged and riveting . The picture has the best elements of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross , Neil LaBute's In the company of men and Sidney Lumet's 12 angry Men and ¨El Metodo¨ by Marcelo Piñeyro. Jordi Galceran's brilliant play was left virtually intact in its move to feature film . This famous play was splendidly directed by Marcelo Piñeyro with an extraordinary plethora of actors who give awesome performances . Because the painstaking rehearsals for the film lasted some exhausting weeks , filming had to be completed in an unprecedented time and shot in a few separate takes . The acting level of the cast during some of the intense discussions and debates almost bursts in the screen . The movie can be used in business schools and workshops to illustrate team dynamics and conflict resolution techniques . Very good acting by a Spanish all-star cast such as Eduard Fernández , Pablo Echarri , Ernesto Alterio , Carmelo Gómez , Adriana Ozores and Natalia Verbeke ; especial mention to Eduardo Noriega and Najwa Nimri .Thought-provoking as well as interesting screenplay by Mateo Gil . Mateo is a notorious screenwriter , he wrote various films for Amenabar as ¨Agora¨ , ¨Mar Adentro¨ , ¨Abre Los Ojos¨ and ¨Tesis¨ . He has only directed ¨Nobody knows anybody¨ or ¨Nadie Conoce Nadie¨ and recently a Western titled ¨Blackthorn¨ . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Marcelo Piñeyro . He was born in 1953 in Buenos Aires, Argentina . Marcelo usually works with his fetish actor , Leonardo Sbaraglia . Piñeyro is a director and writer, especially known for Plata Quemada (2000) and Kamchatka (2002) and , of course , El Método or the Method (2005) . Marcelo has directed the following films -being most of them dramas and thrillers- : 2009 La Viudas de Jueves , 2003 Kamchatka , 2000 Plata Quemada or Burst money , 1997 Cenizas del Paraíso , 1995 Caballos Salvajes and 1993 Tango Feroz .

A major corporation holds a group interview for 7 candidates who must determine who among them is the mole and an employee of the company. Through computer monitors set up in front of each interviewee they are told to exercise their opinions and decision making skills on who must stay and who must go.With a fantastic cast made up of Eduardo Noriega, Najwa Nimri & Eduard Fernandez, the actors seem to equally share the spotlight - and deservingly so. Reminiscent of '12 Angry Men', the entire film plays out within the confines of the interview room.The Method (English title) is as good as a psychological thriller gets. It seems to draw you in almost immediately and wastes no time in playing tricks on the audience in the same way the plot plays games with the characters. It's beautifully constructed and doesn't seem to have many flaws at all.Direction: 9/10 (Marcelo Piñeyro does a superb job on keeping us on the edge of our seats) Cinematography: 8/10 (Alfreod Mayo's vision supports Piñeyro's cold stern corporate look) Editing: 8/10 (Ivan Aledo lends a hand in keeping the film from feeling repetitive) Acting: 9/10 (The impressive cast's interaction with each other was a pleasure to watch) Dialogue: 10/10 (Adopted from a play, the script provided wit and suspense) Sound: 9/10 (The quality of the film's sound was exceptional) Effects: 7/10 (The computer screens felt like they should have had a more ominous film) Art Direction: 8/10 (The sets distinct look is proof a fantastic collaboration) Costumes: 10/10 (The personal touches for each character were seamless) Music and/or Score: 7/10 (Not the most memorable part of the film, but a part nonetheless)Total Score: 85/100It's a film you cannot help but draw your own conclusions to while watching and I doubt anybody could resist wanting to express their own views on the topics discussed. A brilliant character piece and an intense thriller.

I was actually surprised to read that some people thought the bathroom scenes were unnecessary. I beg to disagree.There are a few levels to those scenes.It implies that the Macho Iberico and la Santa Zorra also knew each other. It was not simply sex between strangers. Who knows, maybe Fernando had something to do with Nieves not returning Carlos calls. It is also a good contrast when he says that the bathroom is the only place where they can be themselves. Of course, that was before we learn that cameras are everywhere.It is also the key to the game played between Nieves and Carlos during the ball game.So, it was not irrelevant at all.

"The Method" begins with a group of executive job candidates arriving at an office to interview for an open executive position. They are informed that the interview process will use an obscure interview method designed to have the best candidate for the job rise to the occasion. The candidates play a series of games and discuss hypothetical situations until they are eventually whittled down to the final candidate.Director Marcelo Pineyro did an excellent job converting "The Method" from play to film. The fact that the film takes place mostly in one room makes it an intrinsically difficult shoot to begin with. Instead of it being a problem due to a lack of action the confining setting allows the audience to pay attention to the cast and get to know them.A movie of this kind has to have a strong cast to be effective, and the makers of the movie were very successful in locating one. Eduardo Noriega, Eduard Fernandez, and Pablo Echarri all turn in strong performances on a very confining set.In addition to the job candidates themselves the film is also critical of corporations and how they can encourage this culture of cold blooded behavior. The complete lack of concern by the job candidates and executives as they look down on rioting protesters at the front of the building also speaks volumes."The Method" is ultimately a study of how cold and calculating people can be to achieve their goals. It is a quality film with a strong cast that deserves to be seen.