The Distinguished Citizen
The Distinguished Citizen

Movie spotlight

The Distinguished Citizen

2016
Movie
118 min
Spanish

After refusing big and prestigious awards all over the world, Mr. Mantovani, Literature Nobel Prize winner, accepts an invitation to visit his hometown in Argentina, which has been the inspiration for all of his books. It turns out that accepting this invitation is the worst idea of his life. Expect the unexpected when you have used real people as characters in your novels!

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users89%
Director: Gastón Duprat, Mariano CohnGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Daniel Mantovani, a Nobel Prize winner for literature, has lived in Europe for decades, avoiding his hometown in Argentina. Upon receiving an invitation to be honored in his native town, he decides to return, bringing along his wife. His return, however, exposes the stark contrast between his celebrated artistic persona and the reality of his provincial origins, leading to a series of increasingly uncomfortable and darkly comedic encounters.

Critical Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its sharp satire and Óscar Martínez's compelling performance. Critics lauded its intelligent exploration of fame, art, and the complexities of returning to one's roots, though some found its tonal shifts occasionally jarring. Audiences appreciated its humor and thought-provoking themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its biting satire on the art world and the nature of celebrity.

  • Óscar Martínez's central performance is universally lauded as exceptional.

  • The film's blend of dark humor and poignant social commentary resonates strongly.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's intelligence and humor, with many highlighting the excellent performance of the lead actor. Some reviews noted that while the satire is sharp, it can be quite dark.

Awards & Accolades

Won Best Actor for Óscar Martínez at the Venice Film Festival and multiple awards at the Platino Awards, including Best Actor and Best Screenplay.

Fun Fact

The character of Daniel Mantovani is based on a composite of several famous Latin American writers who, like the fictional character, have achieved international fame but maintain a complicated relationship with their home countries.

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