MovieChat Forums > Los abrazos rotos (2010) Discussion > Easily One of Almodovar's Best.

Easily One of Almodovar's Best.

posted 14 years ago by DexterManning
19 replies | jump to latest

I saw "Broken Embraces" on Friday evening not knowing much about it other than it's by Pedro Almodovar, which in itself is enough reason for me to go see it. He's one of my favorite directors and there hasn't been a film I've seen of his that I didn't enjoy. But this one, for me, is easily one of his best endeavors, as far as the portion of his work I've seen (most of his films from the 1990s and every feature from this decade).It even rivals "All About My Mother," which is still my favorite Almodovar film (and which happens to be the first one I saw). I found the story and the characters in "Embraces" to be quite engrossing, though sometimes the plot was a bit complicated (nothing that future showings wouldn't help unravel though). But what's an Almodovar film without juicy layers of complexity, right? I appreciate the fact that no major character, save for Diego, is flawless. A viewer can sympathize with a given character in one scene then hate him or her in a later scene because of their behavior and treatment of others, etc.Hopefully, soon a box set of this director's films will be released, preferably on Blu-ray (I would imagine that would be inevitable). I would love to have this film in one package that also includes "All About My Mother," "Bad Education," "Live Flesh," "The Flower of My Secret" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown." (assuming the distribution rights to all those titles are held by one studio, which I'm not sure of).What do you think? How do you think this film stacks up against his many others?

[–] jaydubsky 14 years ago

Um, there already is a box set, called "Viva Pedro." I don't know about anything on blu-ray yet.

"Death, you are my bitch lover!"

[–] typeiv 14 years ago

The BD was was released in Spain just this week. No subtitles or audio other than Castilian so I guess you'll have to wait a bit longer.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] objective-critic 14 years ago

I kinda agree with the last poster and disagree with the OP.

Pedro has said that all his movies are really interrelated and just part of the big story that he is telling. But this one just had too many little flaws to be added to the list of his better works.

Most people (well everybody that I discussed the movie with personally) totally missed “All about my mother” which I still think was the best.

[–] TDNathan 14 years ago

Well you guys set a wide goal mouth, from the best to the worst Almodóvar!

It is neither, and I really wonder how much Almodóvar you have seen to come to the conclusion that it is either. It is nowhere near as bad as Kika or La ley del deseo, both of which are embarrassments which should never have been released, nor is it anywhere near All About My Mother, Bad Education or my personal favourite Volver.

Broken Embraces is a perfectly competent Almodóvar, with many of his standard fingerprints, particularly references to earlier work. Penélope Cruz is as wonderful as ever, and continues to demonstrate that she is one of the finest screen actresses working today, not to mention the most beautiful and sexy.

But it isn't great. Almodóvar affectionados should definitely see it, but missing it would be no huge loss.

[–] sunznc 14 years ago

I agree with you Agamemnon7. I've seen all of his films but one and this is my least favorite. A muddled mess.

[–] Superarcadia 14 years ago

Just saw it! Spectacular film! Kudos to Almodovar!

[–] mikema74 14 years ago

Saw it today in NYC and loved it. One of his best films to date.

[–] JBoushka 14 years ago

I love the layered storytelling and the exploration of "hiding" behind a pen name. I've had an incident in my own life where that was a relevant issue. I also like the idea of a gay person's wanting to make a movie under the circumstances in this film. The accident scene was extremely well done. The film brings up many issues.

By the way, imdb says the aspect ratio is 1.85:1. When I saw it, it was 2.35:1 but the embedded movie made by the central character was 1.85:1. Again, interesting technique.

I think the movie compares well to "Bad Education."

[–] Greenteeth 14 years ago

My favorite is "Volver," but this one was fun to watch.

[–] loco_73 14 years ago

Excellent movie...I am soo glad I saw it. Being able to listen to the great dialogue in Spanish (Castellano) is soo tasty and only served to further enhance the viewing experience. The cast is top notch, and Penelope Cruz...well what can I say, I fall in love with her everytime I see her on screen, she such a good actress, and lovely all around!

Some people have complained that since his last movie "Volver" ("Return"), Pedro Almodovar has dropped the bar, and that his movies have become too accessible, I heard the same about this one, "Los Abrazos Rotos", a criticism I think is just plain stupid and borders on being retarded.

Personally I think that he has only gotten better, I like "Carne Tremula" ("Live Flesh"), "Hable con ella" ("Talk To Her"), "Todo Sobre Mi Madre" ("All About My Mother") and others. Almodovar is a unique film director, that has carved his own place in movie history, a unique point of view, storytelling, characters and other elements that always present something fresh and different everytime they appear on screen, but also very old, comfortable and lovingly familiar.

He is also one of the few directors, which I find, creates some of the most interesting, complex and well-fleshed out female characters on film. Lucky him, that he seems to have been able to "get" women, to unravel their most intimate thoughts and ideas. Not bad for a dude!

I have a deep for respect him and the fact that he continues to write his movies, in addition directing and sometimes producing. A tremendous job!

This movie certainly did not dissapoint me and I'm glad that it was the first movie I saw in the new year (I also saw the wonderful "Up In The Air", but it was the second time, having seen an advanced screening back in November).

"Today is the tomorrow I was so worried about yesterday"--Anthony Hopkins

[–] bradjanet 14 years ago

In order of favourites:

All About My Mother
Bad Education
Talk To Her
Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown
High Heels
Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down
Volver

"High Heels" seems to have slipped from most people's memory ... partly because it is not easily available on DVD, partly because it's not very popular with Almodovar fans, apparently ... personally, I love it, with its great performance by Maria Paredes.

But you ARE Blanche ... and I AM.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] pery-1 14 years ago

- NOT !