An overly-ambitious mix of movie satire, political polemic and personal drama, "The Caiman" is strongest when it is least on its political soap box. Stripped of its thematic excesses, it's a bracing comedy about one desperate producer's attempt to revive his family life. Bolstered by an endearingly vulnerable performance by Silvio Orlando as the beleagured producer, the Competition film should be a strong contender for the Palme d'Or, and Orlando's endearing performance could notch a Best Actor award.

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