First, in a world where most movie comedies lack the essential element (humour!), The Matador is a wonderful movie. Dry and stupid, slapstick and witty. Compare to Failure to Launch or The Break-Up and weep. Note to directors: after script, casting is everything.
That I could watch and enjoy a film under these intemperate conditions (33C degrees!!!) speaks volumes.
More seriously, few comedy/romantic comedies these days are able to finesse the balance between humour and serious elements (meaning independent movies are drearily earnest while Hollywood comedies assume audience stupidity and penile fixations).
Why are there so few movies like The Matador?
(To be clear: this is a very good script, focused on the characters, that gets wonderful actors giving wonderful performances. The performances are dependent on the script and the script relies on the actors delivering the lines. And of course, the whole is dependent on a director knowing what he’s doing.
As you’ve probably gathered by now, I think The Matador delivers on everything. Yes, I kinda liked it.)
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