The Method (El Metodo) poster & wallpaper
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Eduardo Noriega, Najwa Nimri, Eduard Fernández, Pablo Echarri, Ernesto Alterio ... see more see more... , Natalia Verbeke , Adriana Ozores , Carmelo Gómez

The question as to how far a corporate drone would go to land a high-level position at a multinational corporation is explored in Argentinian director Marcelo Piñeyro's back-stabbing boardroom drama t... read more read more...hat takes its name from a mysterious human-resources strategy imported from the United States as a means of choosing the best man for the job. As the time for a decision draws near, the streets of Madrid are awash with anti-globalization protesters; and the tension between job applicants Carlos (Eduardo Noriega), Nieves (Najwa Nimri), Fernando (Eduard Fernández), Ana (Adriana Ozores), and Enrique (Ernesto Alterio) comes to a head. As the corporate lackeys engage in an increasingly dehumanizing series of psychological games and scorching betrayals, the choice of who will ultimately take the reins of the coveted position will ultimately depend on which applicant is willing to employ the most diabolical techniques of manipulation. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

14,393 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

17 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Marcelo Piñeyro

Release Date: July 6, 2007

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DVD Release Date: August 14, 2007

Stats: 372 reviews

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Natalia Verbeke Najwa Nimri Natalia Verbeke Ernesto Alterio
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Flixster Reviews (372)

  • skactopus
    June 30, 2007
    skactopus
    This movie had a really entertaining concept to work with, which allowed for it to basically take place in a single location like Phone Booth. Of course this movie doesn't take place in a phone booth, it takes place in a company conference room in a corporate building. A... read morectually, about 95% of the movie takes place in that room.

    It is always interesting to see how a movie like this will turn out because you really need to find a way to keep the audience interested since the scenery and characters will most likely not be changing.

    The beginning of the movie is probably the most entertaining part. It starts out with a pretty good multiple screen sequence until the 7 characters finally enter the room. The character development and the problems that they are asked to solve are interesting and will keep you glued to the screen. Where many may start to lose interest though is in the middle when the characters start to decrease and you're left looking at the few faces that remain. At this point the story sort of dragged on and the few tests weren't all that interesting anymore. Also, by the end I didn't really find myself routing for anybody to be the selected applicant, although the ending tended to catch my interest again since I was eager to see who would win.

    The acting isn't too bad. For the most part, each character had their own identity and that really helped to keep the movie from becoming a complete bore fest.

    Overall, this movie had an interesting concept and story that played out well for the first half, but the second half is where it really lacked, except for the ending. Still, I have no regrets about watching it and it really gets you thinking about what you would do if a job interview went this way.
  • gator681
    July 16, 2007
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"The Method" starts with five men and two women arriving at an office in Madrid for their third and final interview for an executive position with a company. This will be a group interview using the Gronholm Method. Their first task is to determine which of... read more the seven applicants is a mole...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Meanwhile outside, protestors have gathered to demonstrate against the World Bank.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"The Method" is an incisive allegory about the abuse of power in a capitalist society. And in the case of corporations, there is a sense of entitlement when they have multiple applicants for the same position and can simply pick and choose however they please. The film highlights an extreme but not totally unrealistic tactic, the Gronholm Method, which turns out to be a complex form of sadistic degradation, setting the candidates against each other in order to tear each other down. So, is the carrot at the end of the stick really worth it? And why do we have to play their games, anyway? This is exactly why the protestors are out in the streets battling with the police.[/font]
  • John2223
    June 17, 2010
    John2223
    "El Método" is a very well acted movie shot basically in one set with a brief view of the contemporary wild capitalism through the dispute of qualified applicants to a direction position in a corporation. If you like movies with interesting argument, funny dialogs and very good p... read moreerformances, without any doubt, you'll enjoy with this movie.
  • g1pp4l
    June 26, 2008
    g1pp4l
    Good. The play is so much better, though.
  • leina1
    October 20, 2007
    leina1
    It will keep you guessing til the very end. Actually I'm still trying to guess.
  • indiefilmbuff
    August 24, 2010
    indiefilmbuff
    Anyone looking for a job will watch this movie and connect well with the people who are competeing for the same job. Excellent movie.
  • AJS504
    August 29, 2008
    AJS504
    This started out pretty good although the mole was really easy to figure out from the beginning. The ending was a big letdown though.

View All The Method (El Metodo) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Wesley Morris
July 13, 2007
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

The movie doesn't trust that an illuminating comedy of pathetic people can be entertaining for long, so it sprinkles some hormones on the proceedings. Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz
July 6, 2007
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times

The Method is a funny film that touches on a corporation's responsibility to society, the price of ambition and the persistence of workplace sexism. Full Review

Robert Koehler
July 6, 2007
Robert Koehler, Variety

Smartly and seamlessly blending a cast of talented Argentine and Spanish thesps, Pineyro seems to be testing how much cinema he can derive from a restricted space. Full Review

Jan Stuart
July 5, 2007
Jan Stuart, Newsday

...The Method is a tartly performed, compulsively watchable glass-tower And Then There Were None, in which the only blood that gets spilt comes from places that hurt the most: pride and ego. Full Review

Nathan Lee
July 5, 2007
Nathan Lee, Village Voice

Too clever by half, the plot contrivances deliver flippant satisfactions, and the agile performances keep the twists compelling, if less than credible. Full Review

Beth Accomando
August 18, 2007
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org

Based on a stage play by Jordi Galcerán, The Method delivers a darkly comic take on corporate competitiveness.

Ted Murphy
July 14, 2007
Ted Murphy, Murphy's Movie Reviews

Undoubtedly some enterprising American film company will either undertake a remake or will pitch it as a new reality show ... Full Review

Mark Holcomb
July 12, 2007
Mark Holcomb, Time Out

The film loses some of its sting once the race narrows, but its outcome and the politically, emotionally astute fade-out are suitably devastating. Full Review

Chris Barsanti
July 8, 2007
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com

the hollowness of it all becomes deafening Full Review

Maitland McDonagh
July 6, 2007
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

...May not shed any new light on corporate avarice or mendacity, but it gives a stronger. cast the opportunity to play a delicate game of psychological cat-and-mouse with the viewer. Full Review

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