Review of Broken Embraces (2009) by Ceph J — 21 Mar 2010

Almodovar loves melodrama. "Broken Embraces" is about obssession, lust, betrayal, and revenge. Is that enough? He details movie making, sprinkles the mystery of Hitchcock, and film noir. The movie is over 2 hours long because there's so much for the characters to explain. It's a beautiful movie to admire: art direction, cinematography, and Almodovar uses the color red often. Blood signifies themes of lust.

If the story doesn't grip you, perhaps Penelope Cruz' performance will. She reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor in her beauty, celebrity, and acting. You can't keep your eyes off her while she's on screen in flashback scenes (credit goes to the makeup artist and costume designer too). The story is basically a director (Lluis Homar) who's an alter ego of Almodovar, making a "Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdson" pic and who falls in love with the mistress of his producer. The producer has her followed and threatens to shut down the production unless she stays with him.

Almodovar is a very interesting director in how he heightens conflict with characters you're not sure about. Though not his best work, it's an admirable movie.