I’m always amazed when directors go from one extreme to the other when it comes to the types of films they make. Takeshi Miike is a notable example, but there is a Spanish director by the name of Alex De La Iglesia who is almost as prolific as Miike. Iglesia’s last film was The Last Circus, a crazy and gritty clown film, but now he’s decided to go a much different route with As Luck Would Have It (La chispa de la vida), a dark comedic satire chock full of laughs and bit of social commentary.
The film follows Robert (José Mota), a proud, unemployed and broke ad executive who is falling into a depression and can’t find a way to fix his family’s life. After a failed interview, Robert winds up at a museum which used to be a hotel where he had his honeymoon. After entering a restricted area he gets chased off a ledge and has a freak accident: a metal rod gets lodged in his head. All of a sudden the media catch wind of the situation and, though his life is at risk, Roberto tries to milk the situation and sell an exclusive interview for the sake of his family. With his wife Luisa (Salma Hayek) there trying to dissuade him, medics baffled on how to save him, and the crowds growing larger, it’s only a matter of time before everything either turns on him, he dies or he survives and there no longer is a story.
Personally, this was one of the funniest Spanish films I’ve seen to date and one that I think could end up getting the Hollywood remake treatment. It’s so simple yet extremely effective. Throughout the film everybody is trying to cover their own asses while also trying to make money. You have a politician trying to control the media, the museum director trying to save the stadium ruins, an ad exec trying to avoid a lawsuit because he denied Roberto a job, an agent trying to score big money and a news reporter trying to get an exclusive. The best part is that everyone’s position is constantly changing; each individual is a reactionary which makes the dynamics of the film ever-changing as well. It was really well done and everything flowed together smoothly, generating consistent chuckles.
The one joke that never got old throughout the movie was when people stepped on or shook the metal bars that Roberto was lying on. It must have happened around 15 times but I laughed every time because I found it hilarious that nobody ever remembered to be careful, it’s like they forgot the rod was attached to the rest of the platform which was in his head.
Also, what would be a Spanish film without a hot female lead? Salma Hayek was a joy to watch in both contexts of the word. This is the first time I’ve seen a film where she only spoke Spanish and I was rather impressed. She’s a much better actress when speaking in her native tongue and nailed all of her pun
ch lines even though her role was much less comedic than the rest of the supporting cast.
Since the film is a bit dark you’re bound to expect some serious drama and Iglesia did a great job making the film both touching and funny. He wanted to show the opportunist and scumbag nature of the world and businessman through the sale of a death story while also trying to make a character piece about a man trying to help secure a future for his family. I really appreciated this combination of commentary and humor and thought it elevated the picture above the line of mediocrity.
Overall, this humorous piece of Spanish cinema is one worth seeking out if you’ve ever studied advertising, business and work in either capacity. It’s also worth it if you’re a fan of satires, Salma Hayek or Alex De La Iglesia since both deliver their A game for this off the wall commentary on business. As Luck Would Have It will be released by IFC Midnight most likely in early 2013.
Rating: It’s crazy and brilliant piece of satire that gives the middle finger to those who have no shame (7.3/10)
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