A great way to kick of my blog! Although, half way watching this film I realised I had seen this film before.... but a very long time ago.I'm so glad I watched this again, because the first time I obviously wasn't paying attention to this amazing film. Directed by Pedro Almodovar, his 1999 Oscar winning film is a tribute "To all actresses who have played actresses. To all women who act. To men who act and become women. To all the people who want to be mothers. To my mother."
The story centres around Manuela, a nurse who deals with organ transplants and transfers who goes to find the father of her son after he dies trying to get an autograph from Huma; an actress starring in a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire"
Having travelled to Barcelona, Manuela meets up with an old friend; Agrado- rather witty transsexual prostitute. Along the way she meets Rosa (a rather young Penelope Cruz) - a nun who looks after battered women. After seeing another performance of Huma in "Streetcar", Manuela becomes her assistant and gets involved in the theatre... Explaining any more of this story would probably ruin the experience, because part of the joy I found whilst watching this movie was just going along with it and kind of seeing where was going to take me.
Almodovar has a true gift in writing women's characters. Not a single man in this film (apart from the son who dies 10 mins in) and they are all so different and quirky. If you've seen any of the mans films, you'll know what I am talking about. If not, go rent some now.
The thing about this film is you don't know how to take it. Sure, you could kinda take it as a parody or a send up of soap opera style dramas, or take it seriously as the characters do in the film. The acting is all top class, and sometimes over the top... but these women are so lovely and likeable I found myself totally invested in their lives and stories. I guess that's a testament to the writing..
As in most of his work, the photography and production design is flashy. Filled with bright colours and light... It feels like it should be out of place, but somehow it all works together. The music, which was composed by regular collaborator Alberto Iglesias is brilliantly suited- enhancing the moods with dark themes and also more up beat music as well.
I'd totally recommend this film to anyone really, I think it's a fun 97 minutes and certainly flies by. It's a slightly emotional experience, but thanks to the good humoured approach and positive characters, you don't leave this miserable and depressed (considering how much shit goes down).
Please feel free to leave any comments below and some suggestions for films to watch in the future! Thanks!
Very well written Ben, as I said earlier I haven't seen this film for many years (probably since it came out at the cinema), but I definitely want to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really stress that you include Godard's A Woman Is A Woman (if you count that as beginning with W) or Vivre Sa Vie. Amazing films.