Review of Talk to Her (2002) by Daniel D — 23 Mar 2014

Almodovars drama Talk to Her, is his most acclaimed film. A noticeable flaw is some contradiction in character, a bull fighter who fears a snake is possible but seems bizarre. These kind of moments range throughout but they don't take away from the films most powerful suit, the symbolism. There are many amazing moments, often Almodovar will artificially recreate the emotions of the two main characters (Marco & Benigno) on the coma patients. When Benigno speaks of Marco's crying during the first play he puts eye drops into his patient Alicia, creating artificial tears. This is done on another occasion during the silent film montage, which was a bizarre but great addition right before the climax. Once the tension is revealed the movie grows some deep but sick symbolism and themes. While the tension is not shocking since it was heavily preluded, the way Almodovar handles the situation is. The symbolism grows after this as you can literally see Benigno getting inside Marcos head when he first comes back to visit him. The necrophiliac premise is revolting, but the message Almodovar put across really got inside my head.

Next up, Bad Education.