MovieChat Forums > Hable con ella (2003) Discussion > Its interesting how even with its acclai...

Its interesting how even with its acclaimed status the movie still polarizes audiences.

posted 3 years ago by TheMan18 (12686)
2 replies | jump to latest

Also, I found it quite interesting how even with one particular plot point of this film, I noticed two audiences, both of whom OF COURSE agree that "rape is terrible" (I do as well, and you know what, so is murder of innocent people, torture and a few others), also reacted differently to the fact that, SPOILER - the Beningo guy, who at least gets CAUGHT and goes to prison, actually kills himself.

One reviewer on Amazon at least wrote that it can be considered GOOD RIDDANCE and that at least, even if he doesn't serve his full sentence according to law, because he's gone, he won't pull another act off like this.

Another reviewer on Letterboxd, who hated the movie, and also stated the obvious (yes mate, thank you for pointing out that rape is bad, I've known it since childhood), also felt bad that Beningo kills himself, and wrote a sentence to the extent of "I hate it when rapists kill themselves due to being called out for it"... Hmm, OK, but given how many don't even get caught and don't feel any conscience over it, isn't it at least a good riddance and the fact that he feels bad about it to take his own life (though in this film's reality, he actually commits suicide for ANOTHER reason) at least something that can be seen with some positivity? And given the often psychotic nature of those individuals, does it really outrage and surprise you THIS much that they don't simply accept what they did was wrong, gladly go to prison and then repent big time and then maybe if released, don't offend again? And the fact that even in prison such individuals are highly looked down upon (the 2003 "Carandiru" film by the recently deceased filmmaker Hector Babenco even looks into the matter) in prisons to put it mildly?

Its like, even the people who hate "the deed" and the character Beningo for it are STILL divided and polarized in terms of what to think, interesting.

P.S. Subject matter and (even online) controversies aside, I think its a brilliant film, 10/10 I rate it and it is one of Pedro Almodovar's top 3 best works.

[–] TheMan18 (12686) 3 years ago

Whilst we're also on the subject of guilty offenders refusing to acknowledge their wrongful deeds and accept responsibility, and not just sex offenders, let's not forget how sadly and unfortunately in real life, various people, from ordinary men turned serial killers, to politicians who started wars and were responsible for a great many deaths (look at what George W. Bush and our country Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair says about the 2003 Iraq war when it was evident that there were no weapons of mass destruction there and that the dossier report was fabricated and how he still believes "He was right" etc), often don't think of themselves as wrong and they can make an apology for their own terrible deeds in an extremely selfish, one-sided and downright wrong ways, but never say sorry for their deeds, ask for forgiveness etc and admit to being wrong.

Yeah, its terrible and sad no doubt. But something that offends and outrages you, and more to it - to the point of you heavily disliking a movie that portrays such people as they sadly are and giving it one star?

Maybe to some degree, this movie intended to make that point as well albeit in its own surreal and even darkly satirical sort of way. Its unfortunate, and we don't say they "should" be like that of course, but sadly in life, that's often how it is.

[–] TheMan18 (12686) 3 years ago

I also read another review on this movie at Letterboxd which also gave it one star (technically half a star) which, although rightly, reminded that r*** is NEVER "acceptable", I also had to wonder - and in their mind...

Does this movie say OTHERWISE, though? Does it state that what Benigno does is anything other than wrong, unforgivable, irredeemable and criminally offensive?

And again, I still find it both interesting and puzzling that even though he does commit suicide, but NOT necessarily because of being "called out on it", some people are still divided and don't just see his act even as good riddance.

If he just accepted and served his prison sentence then, would you be more happy? Yeah, I get it that he shouldn't have done it in the first place but that's besides point.

Plus, with the crop of typical revenge themed films in this area, it was both interesting and refreshing to see a film with a somewhat unconventional and exploratory approach to the subject matter. And at no point whatsoever still did I get the feeling that the movie was trying to excuse his action like that. And heh, at least he DOES face SOME comeuppance for it as a result!