El buen patrón

Javier Bardem performs the character of a seemingly likeable fatherly figure boss that is extremely twisted, rule-bending and immoral underneath, perfectly. Even though at times the script is incredibly cringe and hyperbolic, this satire successfully delivers the message of the limits that corruption and corporate world can make people reach. It is a comedy that you leave feeling more disturbed than a drama or a thriller.

Loved the story and the main character Javier Bardem who played so well the boss, he made the story so real. Fully played in Spanish reminds us also that there are great actors in Europe and not always dominated by Hollywood crap. In fact it can be a real life story of what can happen to a company, it's employees and management. Bravo to all the actors and I particularly loved all the twist of subtil comedy, it was really well thought of.

What does it mean to be a good boss? How can you be one? And could anyone be one? There are certain questions you may have - don't think the movie will answer them. Also you have to suspend your disbelief. One of the major issues of the movie could have been avoided with way better timing. Also an issue with a "worker" could have been handled way differently. But again if you go down that road you can find a lot to (nit)pick. Try not to do that - though I would understand if you couldn't help yourself (no pun intended). Not being able to help yourself - helping others. The good boss seems intent on helping others. But that also means he is expecting others to help him, when push comes to shove. Javier Bardem is quite the charismatic - well character (sorry for that). And even though he is not always doing the morally right thing ... we kind of root for him. And boy does he ... well I don't know if there is a politically correct way to put it. But he is messing things up ... big time, when he doesn't recognize someone from his past. So well played, so well done if you think about looks and glances. And while we are on the subject of glances .. let me tell you, that ending ... the movie has one of the best endings one can imagine. One might even say it is a perfect one. Maybe not a perfect boss (with all the talk about family values he can't really keep), but a perfect send off ... pun somewhat intended I reckon.

Fame and reputation is the priority of the boss with repeated spotlight shown on the wall of company awards. He takes huge pride and greatness of his achievements by indulging in all the fake commitments to his employees. They are not family, just resources to get things done. Last survey scene is so sarcastic with feminism, diversity and caring for elders in the company. All about balance. If not balanced, make it balanced. Like a bullet.

The writing of the dialogue is terrific. Every carefully-scripted word and situation is loaded with bad blood, mercilessly shelling out the miseries of labor relations in Spain. Bardem's performance as a paternalistic and cronyistic businessman is superlative. A necessary condition to fully enjoy the film, since everything revolves around him. A tad slow development of the story notwithstanding (stylistically justified around a metaphor of balancing the scales?), we are in for a ride.

This movie is outstanding. It's funny and truthful. It depicts egocentricity, superficiality and selfishness really well. This movie is awesome and has got lots of great actors and actresses, such as Javier Bardem, Celso Bugallo, Óscar de la Fuente, Manolo Solo, Almudena Amor and my little sister Dalit! A magnificent movie by Fernando León de Aranoa. Go watch it. I highly recommend it.

This is what I would have imagined Ford to be, the kind of guy that talks about family, helps everyone, with everyone too afraid to say anything because he has too much power over their life (their job, their family...). A nice guy in surface that you wouldn't want to be too close to. Javier Bardem is amazing in it, no doubt about this, in a role we are really not used to see him in. He lets this nice guy image linger enough that you wonder if he is genuinely good until his first mistake, and then everything gets worse, little by little. Do not watch it if you don't want to see what's wrong with the world.

I love the movie El Buen Patrón. I've seen it twice already and I enjoyed it both times. All the actors are amazing (especially Javier Bardem with his make-up). And my little sister Dalit Streett Tejeda is Jose's daughter in the movie, and she's very cute and wonderful! The film is a dark comedy full of humor: funny, sad, realistic and surprising. El Buen Patrón has been nominated for 20 Goya Awards, breaking the historical record of nominations for the Goya Awards, and I hope it wins all 20 (for the non-Spanish: the Goya Awards are as important in Spain as the Oscars in the US). I'm proud of all the team. A masterpiece by Fernando León de Aranoa.