Review of Broken Embraces (2009) by Lewis P — 01 Aug 2010

This was only my second Almodovar movie, but it did remind me in several ways of the other one I saw, Volver. Both movies star Penelope Cruz in the lead and Blanca Portillo in a supporting role. Both feature bright colors, especially red, in great amounts.

Both have melodramatic, almost soap-opera-y twists towards the end. Both feel light in tone, despite some occasional dark occurences. Both are obsessed with boobs, especially Penelope Cruz's. This movie, however, has a more complex and interesting plot, I think.

It goes back and forth between the 1990s and 2008, and it becomes more and more interesting as you learn how the two halves are linked. Penelope Cruz is very pretty and very good in a role that seems to be largely about how she is pretty.

Lluis Homar is also quite good as the main character linking the two halves of the story, and manages to convincingly seem like the same guy at two different ages. Tamar Novas plays a young protege of the main character, but I actually felt like his character got more scenes to himself than were really necessary, and the way a plot twist concerning him is handled seems strangely nonchalant.

Based on this and Volver, I do think Almodovar makes entertaining and well-made movies, but I don't yet see why so many people think he's such a genius.