I came across this movie while searching for the best Spanish-language movies on Netflix (at the time of writing)…and it did not disappoint. It’s about the experiences of a Nobel laureate author who returns to his Argentinian hometown after 4 decades. Daniel Mantovani (played by Oscar Martinez) is an accomplished fiction writer who lives in Barcelona. Over an illustrious career, he has won several national and international awards besides the aforementioned Nobel prize. His stories and characters are set in his Argentinian hometown of Salas (a fictional town). But a few years since winning the ultimate prize, he has developed a writer’s block and is not accepting invitations to most events seeking his presence. That is until one day when he gets an invite from the mayor of Salas to hold an event in his honor. We understand that Daniel has left Salas in his youth – never to return until now. But after some thinking, he decides to take up this offer – partly as a sign of respect and gratefulness to the town and its people who have played a significant part in his books and consequently in his success.
Daniel meets a host of characters in the movie who are jealous, angry, proud or simply oblivious of his fame. While some are intrigued and challenge him, there are others who feel entitled to their share of his success. How he copes with all the wanted or unwanted attention of the people of Salas is the subject of this wonderful movie.
Comments:
Good directors use a variety of ways in their movies to draw in its audience with its opening scene. Stanley Donen (Singin’ in the Rain) introduces humor along with catchy song and dance sequences (Fit as a fiddle) right at the beginning; Orson Welles uses a (very) long one-take sequence in his masterpiece Touch of Evil; Peter Jackson opens The Lord of the Rings trilogy with a near-perfect prologue that introduces the non-readers future-readers to the world of Hobbits. More recently, Christopher Nolan pulls off a one of a kind heist (dream-within-a-dream) in Inception. The Distinguished Citizen uses none of the tricks – but manages to set up its protagonist and the tone of the movie using a short and cynical acceptance speech. Daniel is unafraid to speak his mind, a trait that is reinforced throughout the movie, even at the risk of offending others. There’s a discussion later in the movie about whether struggle and tough situations are needed for an artist to come up with their best works. I feel that it is this conviction to stick to one’s beliefs, which is a far more important trait for an artist to possess. An artist is more likely to produce generational works if they are willing to go against popular beliefs and challenge established norms.
Although fleeting mention has been made of Mr. Mantovani’s books and his work, they remind me of P. L. (Pu La) Deshpande’s character sketches in ‘Vyakti ani Valli’ – purely fictitious but based on a mix of typical characteristics of people that one came across in Western Maharashtra in the ‘1970s. Anyone growing up in Maharashtra between the 70s and the 90s knows what I am talking about – we all had a feeling of intimately knowing a few of these characters. This feeling is reflected in a character in the movie who invites Daniel for a meal as a token of appreciation for ‘writing about his father’ in one of his book.
The character of Daniel Mantovani also reminds me of Elena Ferrante, a pseudonymous Italian author who is well known for their Neopolitan Quartet book series. With her hometown of Naples as a backdrop, Ferrante writes in first person as Elena and weaves an intricate story of her friendship with Rafaella Cerullo spanning five decades. Based on her experiences, she uses real places and fictitious but believable people and brings gritty Naples, for better or worse, vividly to life. Just like Daniel does with Salas. Especially in a small town where everybody knows everybody, this is bound to offend at least a few people who may perceive themselves in characters who are portrayed negatively. Because Daniel has been away from so long, they rationalize their jealousy by believing that Daniel’s success has come at a cost of the exploitation of the town and its people.
Cast and Crew:
Oscar Martinez is top notch as the intellectual Nobel laureate. He conveys both the general cynicism and the compassion towards specific individuals very well. Although he has the most prominent role, several other actors make a mark in smaller roles – especially Manuel Vicente as the mayor and Dady Brieva as Antonio.
Final Thoughts:
Acting, script and direction are top notch. Overcome the fear of subtitles and watch it.
Lights Camera Action 
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