| Native Name: |
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| Director: | Antonio Hernández | ||
| Cinematography: | Javier Salmones | ||
| Editing: | Jorge Coira | ||
| Music: | Pablo Martín-Caminero | ||
| Studio: | Voz Audiovisual | ||
| Distributor: | Filmax | ||
| Country: | Spain | ||
| Language: | Spanish |
The Lesser Evil (Spanish; Castilian: '''El menor de los males'''|links=no) is a 2007 Spanish black comedy thriller film directed by Antonio Hernández which stars Carmen Maura, Roberto Álvarez, and Verónica Echegui.
Right-wing politician Eduardo is staying in his sister's mansion in Galicia with personal secretary Ruth and bodyguards. Upon his affair with red-hot Vanesa, Eduardo suspects he is about to become blackmailed by his lover, who claims to be pregnant.[1]
The film is a Voz Audiovisual production. It was fully shot in Pontemaceira, province of A Coruña.[2]
The film premiered at the 10th Málaga Film Festival on 10 March 2007.[3] Distributed by Filmax, it was released theatrically in Spain on 14 March 2008.
Fernando Méndez-Leite of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, citing a well-supported Álvarez as the best thing about the film.[4]
Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film (and "engaging riff on the ruthlessness of power as embodied in an ambitious politician") to be a decent shot at satire.[5]
|-| rowspan = "3" align = "center" | 2007 || rowspan = "3" | 10th Málaga Film Festival || Best Screenplay || Antonio Galeano, Antonio Hernández || || rowspan = "3" | [6] |-| Best Supporting Actress || Verónica Echegui || |-| Best Costume Design || Ruth Díaz || |-| rowspan = "3" align = "center" | 2009 || rowspan = "3" | 7th Mestre Mateo Awards || Best Actress || Carmen Maura || || rowspan = "3" | [7] [8] |-| Best Editing || Jorge Coira || |-| Best Sound || Carlos Mouriño || |}