The Candidate (15)
Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen
★★★★

THE corruption of power and greed at regional government level is put under the microscope in this scintillating and wonderfully gripping Spanish political thriller by Rodrigo Sorogoyen.

The themes and the characters in this exquisitely rich and complex drama, set in 2007, are sadly universal and will ring true almost anywhere.

The film opens with the lead protagonist Manuel (Antonio de la Torre) — Manu to his friends — on a sandy beach taking an important call as he looks out onto a glorious blue sea (the calm before the storm).

As he returns through the back kitchen of a restaurant to rejoin his friends and colleagues at a lavish lunch, they all joke and laugh about their exploits and scams.

Manu — an influential vice-secretary to a politician — and his corrupt political cronies enjoy the good life at the expense of the Spanish taxpayer going on yachting trips and out for swanky meals at expensive restaurants while laundering money, rezoning land and swapping favours with local businessmen on a daily basis.

You just know that if it all goes to pot his political cohorts will be the first to disown him, which is exactly what happens when Manu, a prospective regional president, finds himself involved in a major corruption scandal.

What makes this film stand out from others of this genre is that you are given a first-hand glimpse into the world of the political elite through the eyes of a crooked politician.

De la Torre delivers a stunning performance as a charismatic, masterful wheeler-dealer alongside some fine turns from the ensemble cast.

But de la Torre makes the family man Manu a “simpatico” and makes you root for him as he races against time to find the incriminating ledgers and to bring his bent colleagues and the party down.

If you are looking for suspense, intrigue and social commentary then look no further because Sorogoyen and Isabel Pena’s whipsmart and insightful screenplay delivers it in spades.

The climactic finale is a masterclass in cranking up tension to a showdown and a reminder that Manu isn’t a victim but another unremorseful corrupt and seasoned political player trying to save his own skin.