Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Pedro Almodovar's 1988 breakout Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film stars Carmen Maura as Pepa, an actress who's been throw over by her lover Ivan. After discovering that she's pregnant, Pepa desperately tries to reach Ivan through his ex, Lucia (Julietta Serrana), only to discover that the two-timer has dumped the both of them in favor of a third party. The resulting complications make for a brilliant social comedy that at times seems like a feminist Marx Brothers slapstick extravaganza. Unfortunately, this extra-less DVD is somewhat grainy, with muted colors (nothing like Anchor Bay's vibrant looking release of Almodovar's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!). Definitely still recommended, especially if you don't already have this on VHS. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Feb. 21, 2017—Criterion, 89 min., in Spanish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1988's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include interviews with costar Carmen Maura (20 min.), director Pedro Almodóvar (17 min.), executive producer Agustin Almodóvar (17 min.), and film scholar Richard Peña (12 min.), a trailer, and an essay by novelist and critic Elvira Lindo. Bottom line: a stellar edition of one of Almodóvar's best films.]