The Motive

Álvaro works as a notary and wants to be a writer, and has nothing to write about. When his tutor at a writing workshop tells him to get into life, he does exactly that, literally: he begins manipulating the lives of his neighbours in the building, engineering events, and then writing them down. Manuel Martín Cuenca adapted Javier Cercas's novel and never lets it drift into comedy; the man believes he is an artist and what he does causes direct harm. Javier Gutiérrez plays him with no appeal for sympathy. The idea is hard: creativity here is an excuse and the absence of empathy becomes a method. It took nominations at the Goya awards in Spain. Who it is for: viewers who like cold Spanish drama about writing and morality. Who it is not for: anyone wanting a sympathetic protagonist, which the film never intends.