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| Movie Review: Broken Embraces Alternate Title: Love is Blind
Story: A mediocre film by writer
and director Pedro Almodóvar is better than
most other films you might see in your local multiplex. Almodovar once
again challenges his audiences with a contemporary painter's flare,
plot twists in the story, characters with more than one identity and
distortions in the time line. Ready for the challenge? We meet blind screen writer Harry Caine as he
tumbles on the couch with a beautiful woman who has helped him cross
the street. Harry is no ordinary man. He used to go by the name of Mateo
Blanco, as a film director, before he lost his sight in an accident
14 years ago. This is the type of movie where revealing too
much of the plot would spoil the movie experience - so suffice it to
say that almost every character is not quite who you think they are
and everyone is tangentially connected to everyone else. With instant
transitions, we find ourselves moving through the story line from present
day, back to 1994 and forward to 2002 and on and on. The sets are awash in marvelous color and your
eyes dance through the film. The camera adores its actors and we are
the recipients of these rewards. Almodovar is a film maker that is not afraid
to make a movie that in complicated and multi-layered and often just
plain fun. I would not miss one of his movies and neither should you. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyeVQVXJmEk Acting: This is the fourth film Almodovar has made
with Penélope Cruz (Lena). Penelope Cruz is
stunning. She gets better with each film she makes and the camera adores
her - as does the audience. Lluís Homar as Mateo/Harry
Caine, plays his part with a straight face and pulls it it off. Blanca
Portillo as the long suffering Judit, is wonderful as is the
comically evil José Luis Gómez as Ernesto
Martel. Rubén Ochandiano as the loony Ray X
is terrific as is the innocent, young and Tamar Novas
as Diego. Trivia: Pedro Almodovar is most internationally acclaimed
Spanish filmmaker since Luis Buñuel was born in a small town
(Calzada de Calatrava) in the impoverished Spanish region of La Mancha.
He arrived in Madrid in 1968, and survived by selling used items in
the flea-market called El Rastro. Almodóvar couldn't study filmmaking
because he didn't have the money to afford it. Also- the filmmaking
schools were closed in early 70s by Franco's government. Instead, he
found a job in the Spanish phone company and saved his salary to buy
a Super 8 camera. From 1972 to 1978, he devoted himself to make short
films with the help of of his friends.
Predilection: I love Pedro Almodovar
films.
Critters: A dog on the beach.
Food: Tomatoes, garlic, gazpacho, muffins and lots
of drinks.
Sex Spectrum: Casual and non-casual sex with tumbling,
fumbling and plenty of boobs.
Blatant Product Placement: Canon
Soundtrack: Delightfully soap opera-ish.
Opening Titles: Other than the title - all credits
are at the end.
Visual Art: Almodovar is an artist through and through.
Theater Audience: About 50 other Almodovar fans.
Weather: Spain is lovely throughout.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout. It is subtitled
so drifting is not a good idea.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Probably not.
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen for sure.
Length: A bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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