I really had no idea what this was about, but had heard great things about it and it has some of Pedro Almodovar's regulars (including Penélope Cruz).It is gorgeous, of course, being Almodovar. (The NYTimes review by A.O. Scott was, in fact, titled "The Darkest of Troubles in the Brightest of Colors"!) But more than that, it is complicated, unresolved, and in many ways totally incredible (as in, not credible). But it was totally charming and sympathetic at the same time.
As always, Almodovar's film is all about women and their relationships with each other -- and men seem sort of peripheral. A catalyst for events, frequently, but somehow still not all that significant. B the Observant noticed that the identity of these women as self-contained has been carried through in the names of the characters we hear spoken in the opening scene: Raimunda, Augustina, and Paula are all feminized versions of men's names. (How better to convey these women's independent natures than nominally granting them elements of both sexes.)
The basic plot is....is...well,...it's not very basic. There are a few women, some of them are relatives (mothers, sisters, aunts), but some are neighbors (which is like family), and there are a couple of, to put it bluntly, murders, some significant deceptions, and quite a bit of confusion, but it's all good!
But as is always true when he is at his best, Almodovar's film can be enjoyed at many levels. It's visually stunning, very smart, very funny, very dramatic, very sentimental, very irreverent, and many other "very"s all wrapped up in one entertaining package. A fabulous movie and well worth two hours.
1 comment:
I enjoyed this movie. Doubt it would interest many, but a movie lover indeed. I thought the performances were great.
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