The Method (El Metodo) (2005)

71% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(14,407 ratings)

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 that takes its name from a mysterious human-resources strategy imported from the United States as a… More 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 that 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Marcelo Piñeyro
Written By: Mateo Gil, Marcelo Piñeyro
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Jul 6, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Aug 14, 2007
Studio: Palm Pictures

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
Based on a stage play by Jordi Galcerán, The Method delivers a darkly comic take on corporate competitiveness.
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 ...
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.
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
the hollowness of it all becomes deafening
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.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
This claustrophobic adventure from Spain unfolds like a fictionalized version of Donald Trump's television show The Apprentice. How do you say, 'You're fired!' in Spanish?
Frank Lovece, Film Journal International
There is a madness to The Method, and it is a fine madness.
Marta Barber, Miami Herald
If only the writing matched the film's style and acting.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Anyone who has ever had to undergo a grueling interview for a job or for college admission will relate to this witty albeit stagey story of seven candidates competing together in one room for one job.
Kam Williams, EURWeb
Ostensibly-inspired by The Apprentice, what this reality movie's missing most is a cocky host with a cotton candy-colored comb-over. How do you say, 'You're fired!' in Spanish.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Gripping but insignificant, The Method suggests Glengarry Glenn Ross with its teeth knocked out by Tony Soprano and nursed back to health by Mark Burnett.
Pam Grady, Reel.com
The film is delightful, like a quality Gilligan's Island for these nervous globalized times.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Justin Y

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… More
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. Actually, 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.
Walter M

[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… More
[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 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]
John M

"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… More
"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 performances, without any doubt, you'll enjoy with this movie.
Alex F

Good. The play is so much better, though.
Leina R

It will keep you guessing til the very end. Actually I'm still trying to guess.