This week’s film by Pedro Almodovar was a long, complex film that was entertaining on the surface but upon review, revealed much more than we thought.
Broken Embraces stars Almodovar’s favorite actress Penelope Cruz, the one he has been quoted as saying, “brings out the best in me as a director”. She also starred in his critically acclaimed Volver. She plays Lena, a woman trying to move beyond her life as a prostitute and finds her escape via rich business man Ernesto Martel. He binds their union with a financial gift that helps prolong her father’s cancer ridden life; she is indebted to him. Their love is an obsession for him and an obligation for her. When he grudgingly allows her to audition for a role in a film, she takes that fateful step that will lead her away from him. Her instant chemistry with the film’s director Mateo Blanco will complicate all of their lives. Sensing this, Ernesto has his ill-regarded son Ray-X follow her and video her every move.
The film becomes a movie within a movie and there is so much symbolism and irony that you must pay close attention to watch it unfold. We were engaged and impressed with the story and it’s clever twists. The love affair between Lena and Mateo was passionate and real. Having said that, we did notice there was a distinct lack of emotion for such an emotional plot line. All the ingredients were there – lust, obsession, betrayal, revenge – however, they were presented superficially and the ensuing emotions were so subtle that we found it surprising.
We did enjoy the movie, however, it was a little on the long side.
We rated this film 31/2 out of 5.
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