‘The Good Boss’ shines brightly because of Bardem

Above : Javier Bardem stars in “The Good Boss,” which opens Friday at the Magic Lantern Theatre. (Photo/Cohen Media Group)

One of the first movies that I remember seeing Javier Bardem in was Bigas Luna’s 1993 release “Huevos de Oro” (or “Golden Balls”). He struck me as the epitome of a hulking, macho movie presence.

It wasn’t until seven years later, when I saw him star in the film “Before Night Falls” that I realized just how good an actor he really is. In that film, directed by Julian Schnabel, Bardem plays the late, gay Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas.

Since then, of course, Bardem has worked for every major filmmaker from Woody Allen (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”) to the Coen Brothers (“No Country for Old Men,” for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Osar). He even played a Bond villain (“Skyfall”).

Bardem continues to find interesting parts. He appeared in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptation. He played Desi Arnaz in Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos” (for which he received another Oscar nomination, his fourth).

And on Friday he will appear in “The Good Boss,” a Spanish-language film directed by Fernando León de Aranoa that will open at the Magic Lantern Theatre.

The film is receiving near-universal good reviews.

Ben Kenigsberg of the New York Times wrote, “ ‘The Good Boss’ provides prime material for Bardem, who has to maintain a polished veneer even as his character’s mendacity and troubles mount.”

Elizabeth Weitzman of TheWrap wrote, “It’s mesmerizing to watch such a powerful actor underplay so effectively. The more familiar Blanco feels, the more unsettling he becomes.”

And Anthony Lane of The New Yorker wrote, “ ‘The Good Boss’ pulls more weight than you’d expect, and Bardem is in charge of the pulling.”

I’ll check out the mainstream releases on Wednesday. Stay tuned.