Broken Embraces

Renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar's latest is a stylish, satirical, crime/noir melodrama exploring the themes of ambition, jealousy, and betrayal. Cutting back and forth between early 1990s Madrid and the present, the circuitous story revolves around film director Mateo Blanco (Lluís Homar)—now known by his screenwriting pseudonym of Harry Caine—who was blinded 14 years earlier in a horrific automobile crash. Mateo is cared for by his faithful agent and former production manager, Judit (Blanca Portillo), and her sensitive son, Diego (Tamar Novas). After Diego is hurt in an accident in a disco club, Mateo distracts him with stories about his own past, particularly his involvement with corrupt businessman Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez) and Martel's gay voyeur/photographer son (Rubén Ochandiano) and beautiful trophy mistress, Lena (Penélope Cruz), whom Mateo so adored that he gave her the starring role in an ill-fated romp, Girls and Suitcases, financed by Martel (this movie-within-a-movie recalls Almodóvar's own Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). Whenever Cruz is onscreen, she's mesmerizing; when she's not, the pace lags a bit—although Rodrigo Prieto's exquisite cinematography remains captivating throughout. Watching the compellingly photogenic actress morph from Audrey Hepburn-ish waif into Marilyn Monroe-ish femme fatale is riveting, and film buffs may recognize a myriad of movie references, especially Roberto Rossellini's Voyage to Italy (1954) with Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (13 min.), “The Cannibalistic Councillor” short film by director Pedro Almodóvar (8 min.), a “Pedro Directs Penelope” behind-the-scenes featurette (6 min.), a Variety Q&A with star Penelope Cruz (6 min.), an “On the Red Carpet: The New York Film Festival Closing Night” featurette (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for another fine Almodóvar film.] (S. Granger)