The Great Vazquez (Spanish: El gran Vázquez) is a 2010 Spanish biographical comedy-drama film directed and written by Óscar Aibar which stars Santiago Segura as the title character alongside Álex Angulo, Mercè Llorens and Enrique Villén.
| The Great Vazquez | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El gran Vázquez |
| Directed by | Óscar Aibar |
| Written by | Óscar Aibar |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Mario Montero |
| Edited by | Fernando Pardo |
| Music by | Nacho Mastretta |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Alta Classics |
Release dates |
|
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Plot
editSet in 1960s Barcelona,[1] the plot follows the vicissitudes of Vázquez, a cartoonist and wastrel whose rogue way of living is threatened by the arrival of a foe, Peláez, an accountant hellbent on setting things right in the publishing house.[2][3]
Cast
edit- Santiago Segura as Vázquez[4]
- Álex Angulo as Peláez[5]
- Mercè Llorens as Rosa[5]
- Enrique Villén as González[5]
- Jesús Guzmán[5]
- Manolo Solo as Ibáñez[4]
- Itziar Aizpuru[6]
- Albert Vidal[6]
- Pep Sais[6]
- Pere Ponce[4]
- Ernesto Sevilla[4]
- Carlos Areces[4]
Production
editThe film is a Distinto Films, Tornasol Films and Castafiore Films production, with the participation of TVE, TVC and Canal+ España.[7] Shooting locations included Barcelona and the Ciudad de la Luz studio in Alicante.[8][9]
Release
editThe Great Vazquez was presented at the 58th San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2010, screened as part of the festival's main competition.[10] It was theatrically released in Spain on 24 September 2010.[6]
Reception
editIn the view of Mark Adams, of ScreenDaily, the film constitutes "a delightful mixture of genial period comedy mixed with comic strip characters bouncing out of the screen".[5]
Carlos Marañón of Cinemanía gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, presenting it as a "Lopezvazquez-esque version of Catch Me If You Can full of city guards", considering that the imbrication of the setting with the lead character's spirit is so-so, while the supporting cast performs well.[11]
Sergi Sánchez of Fotogramas score 3 out of 5 stars, considering that the "faithful portrayal" of the working environment in Franco era and Santiago Segura's "spectacular performance", balancing "tenderness and cynicism", make the film a "pleasant surprise", while considering the animated segments to be "expendable".[12]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3rd Gaudí Awards | Best Non-Catalan Language Film | Nominated | [13] | |
| Best Costume Design | Maria Gil, Sonia Segura | Nominated | |||
| Best Special/Digital Effects | Josep Maria Aragonés | Nominated | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Blanca Sánchez, Pepe Quetglas | Nominated | |||
| 25th Goya Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Álex Angulo | Nominated | [14] | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "'Versión Española' estrena 'El gran Vázquez', de Óscar Aibar". rtve.es. 19 March 2015.
- ^ "Ciudad de la Luz presenta el rodaje de 'El gran Vázquez'". El Periòdic. 18 November 2009.
- ^ Brito, Sara (18 September 2010). "Segura vuelve a vestirse de pícaro. El actor interpreta a Manuel Vázquez en un biopic de Óscar Aibar que compite por la Concha de Oro". Público.
- ^ a b c d e Maldivia, Beatriz (27 September 2010). "'El gran Vázquez', un gran sinvergüenza". Espinof.
- ^ a b c d e Adams, Mark (22 September 2010). "The Great Vazquez (El Gran Vazquez)". ScreenDaily.
- ^ a b c d Caviaro, Juan Luis (24 September 2010). "Estrenos de cine | 24 de septiembre | La semana de Julia Roberts... y del regreso de 'Avatar'". Espinof.
- ^ "Catalan Films & TV presenta 13 films a compradors internacionals". Cultura21. 15 November 2010.
- ^ "El Gran Vázquez". Acadèmia del Cine Català. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "Santiago Segura inicia el rodaje en Alicante de 'El Gran Vázquez'". Las Provincias. 19 November 2009.
- ^ Puyó, Carmen (19 September 2010). "'El gran Vázquez', homenaje al tebeo y al dibujante". Heraldo.
- ^ Marañón, Carlos (24 September 2010). "El gran Vázquez". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ Sánchez, Sergi (3 September 2010). "El gran Vázquez. Para los que crecieron con Anacleto". Fotogramas.
- ^ "Nominadas - III Premios Gaudí". Acadèmia del Cine Català. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ "El gran Vázquez". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 24 April 2022.