Review of Kika (1993) by Diana O — 04 Aug 2007

The most amazing movie; Almodovar is genius. The characters are unbelievable and the performances are out of this world. Of course to deal with serious issues many try cloaking the work in comedy, but to even think of dealing with the issue of rape through comedy is courageous to say the least. A comedy about rape and incest? I have never laughed so much, especially during the rape scene! He gives us the character of Kika, a makeup artist / cosmetician who is scatty / flighty and talks about everything, one thinks almost nothing would faze this character, that?s what probably helps the viewer laugh as she gets raped. But then he flips the script, and the comedy turns to drama. For the reviews I read where some critics didn?t get it - allow me to spoon feed - if rape can do this to someone of this character then what would it do to someone ?normal?? Brilliant.

There?s a scene where Kika is talking to her maid Juana (Rossy de Palma; brilliant actress), and Juana tells Kika that she lets her brother (a mentally ill porno star named Paul Bazzo (Santiago Lajusticia)) sleep with her so he can let of some steam ? its better than him going out there and raping someone or something she says. Unbelievably funny film!