# The Motive (film)

The Motive (Spanish: El autor, lit. 'The author') is a 2017 Spanish-Mexican drama film directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca, from a screenplay by Alejandro Hernández and Martín Cuenca. It stars Javier Gutiérrez alongside María León and Antonio de la Torre.
The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.

## Plot

Álvaro separates from his wife Amanda, an elated best-seller writer, and motivated by her success, makes up his mind to write a great novel. Problem is, he lacks talent and imagination. He figures out that great fiction is drawn from reality, and he begins to manipulate his neighbors and to get involved in their lives in order to find inspiration for his writing.

## Cast

* Javier Gutiérrez as Álvaro
* María León as Amanda
* Adelfa Calvo as Portera (caretaker)
* Adriana Paz as Irene
* Tenoch Huerta as Enrique
* Rafael Téllez as Sr. Montero
* Antonio de la Torre as Juan
* Domi del Postigo as Presentador (presenter)
* José Carlos Carmona as Jesús
* Alberto González as Don Alfonso

## Reception
### Critical reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 60%, based on 20 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10.

### Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2018 | 23rd Forqué Awards | Best Film | Best Film | Won |
| 2018 | 23rd Forqué Awards | Best Actor | Javier Gutiérrez | Won |
| 2018 | 23rd Forqué Awards | Best Actress | Adelfa Calvo | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Drama | Best Drama | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Director | Manuel Martín Cuenca | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Screenplay | Alejandro Hernández, Manuel Martín Cuenca | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Actor in a Film | Javier Gutiérrez | Won |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Film | Adelfa Calvo | Won |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Film | Antonio de la Torre | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Original Soundtrack | José Luis Perales, Pablo Perales | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Feroz Awards | Best Trailer | Fernando Vallarino | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Film | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Director | Manuel Martín Cuenca | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Alejandro Hernández, Manuel Martín Cuenca | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Actor | Javier Gutiérrez | Won |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Adelfa Calvo | Won |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Antonio de la Torre | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best New Actress | Adriana Paz | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Sound | Daniel de Zayas, Pelayo Gutiérrez, Alberto Ovejero | Nominated |
| 2018 | 32nd Goya Awards | Best Original Song | "Algunas veces" by José Luis Perales | Nominated |
| 2018 | 27th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actor in a Leading Role | Javier Gutiérrez | Won |
| 2018 | 27th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role | Adelfa Calvo | Won |
| 2018 | 27th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actor in a Secondary Role | Antonio de la Torre | Nominated |
| 2018 | 5th Platino Awards | Best Actor | Javier Gutiérrez | Nominated |

## Trivia

Some of the "penguins scene" from Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World is featured in the first scene.