As Luck Would Have It

As Luck Would Have It

Year: 2013

Language: English

Director: Álex de la Iglesia

Drama

Roberto, a successful advertising executive, faces a sudden downturn in his business, forcing him to conceal his financial struggles from his wife, Luisa. A surprising accident thrusts him into the public eye, leading him to exploit the situation for financial gain. While attempting to secure their future, Roberto’s increasingly desperate actions cause Luisa to question his behavior and their relationship.

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As Luck Would Have It (2013) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of As Luck Would Have It (2013), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

As Roberto Gómez (played by Actor Name) traverses the bleak terrain of his unemployment, he clings desperately to the faint glimmer of purpose that his marriage provides. His devoted wife, Luisa (played by Actor Name), strives to lift his spirits as he heads out to meet an old acquaintance, Javier Gándara. However, this encounter only serves to further diminish Roberto’s already fragile confidence. Upon his arrival, he is met with a chilling indifference from former colleagues, and Gándara’s brusque dismissal effectively seals the fate of his professional despair.

As Roberto’s emotional state approaches the brink of chaos, he impulsively undertakes a nostalgic journey to the hotel where he and Luisa shared their blissful honeymoon. To his dismay, he discovers that the enchanting retreat has devolved into a bustling site for archaeological digs. Wandering aimlessly through the area during a press event, his disorientation is amplified by the ever-watchful Claudio, a security guard who observes the unfolding drama.

In an unexpected turn of events, Roberto suffers a shocking fall, leading him to crash down and become pinned by a spike. Claudio’s hurried evaluation uncovers the severity of the situation: Roberto’s skull is perilously impaled, plunging him into a dire predicament. As Claudio rushes off to seek help, Roberto is left grappling with the biting irony of his circumstance.

News of his mishap spirals through the media like wildfire, leading to rampant misinterpretation as a potential suicide attempt. Luisa, consumed by distress, receives a frantic call from her husband, only to confront the heart-wrenching truth that no one seems willing—or able—to take charge of his dire condition.

As chaos and speculation escalate, Roberto’s plight morphs into a media spectacle, attracting a plethora of figures, including Mayor Alcalde, museum director Mercedes, and Dr. Velasco, a reluctant medical professional. The powers that be engage in a back-and-forth negotiation on how to resolve the crisis while preserving their public images, leaving Roberto trapped with his fate teetering on the edge.

With each passing moment, Roberto’s desperation to provide for his family intensifies, propelling him onto a questionable path to potentially profit from his misfortune. He enlists the help of Johnny, a savvy agent, who endeavors to secure deals for product placements and exclusive interviews. Despite Luisa’s vehement disapproval, she finds herself unable to prevent Roberto from pursuing this lucrative route. Johnny manages to capture the interest of influential media executive Álvaro Aguirre, who demands Roberto remain at the accident site for any chance of an interview, offering a stunning sum for a posthumous feature, although Johnny struggles to secure a binding commitment.

Luisa grows increasingly concerned about her husband prioritizing financial gain over quality family time, urging him to reconnect with their children and address their needs. Heeding her advice, Roberto reaches out to their kids, inviting them to visit him at the hospital. Meanwhile, Mercedes is prepared to assist in freeing Roberto from the spike, but others intervene, realizing that this may only exacerbate his condition.

As Dr. Velasco deliberates on the proper course of action, Johnny approaches Luisa with an enticing offer for the posthumous interview. Enraged by the idea of her husband being exploited, she fires Johnny and vows to intervene if he dares approach Roberto again. Unbeknownst to Roberto, Luisa has severed ties with Johnny; when he inquires about their progress, she conceals the truth, falsely asserting that Johnny has landed a lucrative contract worth hundreds of thousands.

Feeling the pressing need to support his family, Roberto agrees to provide an emotional interview to Pilar Álvarez, a local reporter assigned by Luisa. Álvarez knowingly hands the recording over to Luisa, recognizing its potential value. As Roberto is finally freed from the spike and spirals into delirium, he begins to describe vivid scents amidst his profuse bleeding. Claudio offers a listening ear to Luisa as she anxiously awaits updates from Dr. Velasco.

Days later, Dr. Velasco arrives with a somber demeanor. When Roberto’s family gathers around, they receive heartbreaking news: he has succumbed to his injuries during surgery. The crowd, now filled with bystanders drawn in by the media frenzy, collectively reacts with shock and sorrow. Tears flow freely as Álvarez makes her way to the museum, offering Luisa a staggering amount for the tape, but she declines with a grim, unspoken resentment.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 13:13

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Movies about desperate measures and moral downfall like As Luck Would Have It

When ordinary people resort to extreme and cynical acts to save themselves.If you liked the grim desperation in As Luck Would Have It, explore similar movies about characters who make cynical choices when faced with ruin. These films often feature high intensity, dark tones, and heavy emotional weight, chronicling a person's moral collapse under extreme pressure.

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Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist facing an existential threat (like financial collapse) who seizes upon a morally dubious opportunity. The narrative charts their escalating actions as they become trapped by their own scheme, leading to the alienation of loved ones and a tragic outcome that highlights the cost of their desperation.

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Movies about media exploitation and public spectacle like As Luck Would Have It

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The narrative pattern involves a sudden, often bizarre incident that catapults an individual into the media spotlight. The story then follows the chaotic exploitation of their suffering by news outlets, corporations, and the public. The conflict arises from the character's struggle to maintain autonomy and humanity within the relentless, alienating machinery of the spectacle.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their central theme of media exploitation and the creation of a public spectacle from private pain. They share a satirical edge regarding sensationalism, a consistently high tension derived from the loss of control, and a bleak, somber mood that questions the ethics of consumption.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in As Luck Would Have It

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Characters, Settings & Themes in As Luck Would Have It

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