Review of Kika (1993) by Stuart K — 05 Sep 2012
By the early 1990's, Pedro Almodóvar had become a favourite in world cinema, making diverse yet beautifully looking and critically acclaimed films. As his follow up to High Heels (1991), he made a sort of retreat into the campy outrageousness of his early films, a satire on the intrusive nature of the media.
Some of it works, some of it doesn't, but it has some good performances and some other-worldly costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier. Kika (Veronica Forquà (C)) is a make-up artist who aspires to be an actress, who ends up involved with American writer Nicholas Pierce (Peter Coyote), and his stepson Ramón (Alex Casanovas).
Ramón went into a state of catatonia after his mother died, but Kika seems to have brought him out of it, and they both move in together, however Kika also ends up having an affair with Nicholas as well.
This captures the attention of trashy tabloid TV presenter Andrea Caracortada (Victoria Abril), who goes around with a video camera on her head filming grieving people and aftermaths of violent encounters.
After Kika has a traumatic incident, Andrea Caracortada won't leave her alone. This film has a rape scene played for laughs, it shouldn't work, but it does, sort of. But, the film on a whole if kind of like someone you found funny when you were younger, but they're trying to be funny and wacky years later, and it looks embarrassing.
It does look good mind, but even Almodóvar later said the film was a let down.
This review of Kika (1993) was written by Stuart K on 05 Sep 2012.
Kika has generally received positive reviews.
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