10/19/06 Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown

Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988), directed by Pedro Almodovar

watched solo; theater (Galaxy Cinema, Cary, NC); Viva Pedro Film Series

Hot & bothered can be an easy way to describe the film stylings of one Pedro Almodovar. Perhaps one of the most internationally acclaimed Spanish directors ever, all of his works have raised many an eyebrow and sparked many a discussion. His films often include major symbolism, religious context, and overtly sexual (both passion and gender-roles) portrayals. The first Almodovar experience I can clearly recall is the now infamous bath-tub scene in "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" with a wind-up toy...this example being one reason his films like to constantly push the envelope and prod the censors into casting NC-17 ratings. Whatever the rating ends up being, it is still obvious how influential and groundbreaking a lot of his films have been. This is one that falls in a long lineage of such works, centering around the fallout of a break-up between to lovers, Ivan and Pepa. Pepa must deal with her husband's telephone message he's leaving. Unable to stand the lonely house full of memories, Pepa soon opens the house up to lease...opening the door to all kinds of characters that will challenge her sanity. There is Candela, Pepa's friend searching for asylum from the police as they suspect her to be a terrorist. There is Lucia, a woman who comes looking for Ivan claiming they had a love-child Carlos some twenty years ago. Let's just throw Carlos into the mix as well, unbeknownst to Pepa. Lucia wants Ivan dead, and Pepa is trying all she can to get through this ordeal and come out the other side sane. It is a true journey of emotions that Pepa must go on in this dark comedy, but leave it to Almodovar's twisted dabblings to leave you wondering what the hell just happened! You may want to seek your own psychiatric help after this one...viva Pedro!

3 out of 5 stars