Review of Broken Embraces (2009) by Sarah O — 23 Mar 2011

Broken Embraces tells the story of a long-ago love affair that was kept secret amongst everyone involved. It is also tied together by a movie within this movie entitled "Girls and Suitcases." The mysteries (why is Mateo, aka Harry, blind?, Who is the mysterious woman in the photographs & why does Mateo keep a plastic bag of torn-up photographs in his apartment if he can't see them anymore? Who is Ray X & why is Mateo so afraid of him?) are well established in the first 1/2 hour before the film starts alternating between present day and flashbacks.

I thought all of the characters were rich and fleshed out, and the acting was spot-on. The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous & so is Almodovar's muse, Penelope Cruz. I was very satisfied with the ending, as all the disparate elements came together & all open questions were answered.

I thought the completion of "Girls and Suitcases" to end the movie was perfect and left me feeling happy and amazed at the simple genius of it.