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From Amazon.co.uk
Writer/director Pedro Almodóvar's dark, sexy Hitchcock homage is his best work since his Oscar-winning All About My Mother, and deepened by a sun-dappled sadness. Handsome, enigmatic Ángel (Gael García Bernal) arrives at the Spanish movie offices of director Enrique Goded (Fele Martinez) and happily proclaims that he's actually Enrique's long-lost school chum Ignacio--an announcement that is both less than convincing and more than it seems. A novice actor, Ángel pitches a semi-autobiographical screenplay in which he's determined to star, a revenge-laden reflection of the doomed love he and Enrique shared as boys before a paedophile priest cruelly intervened. The script, and the lost days it recalls, carefully unfurls into a series of brooding movies-within-movies and memories-inside-memories, which allow the sensual, multiple-role-playing Bernal to give the performance of his young career--among other things, he makes a stunningly convincing drag queen--and Almodóvar the opportunity to suggest, movingly, that people will pay any price to ensure that their stories are told. -- Steve Wiecking
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By I Am Tyler Durden
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This is a supurb film with a clever twisting plot. It centres on a semi autobiographical story written by one of the characters which is being made into a movie. As the film progresses it plays out as two parallel stories, one being the fictionalised version of events, the other being the actual events. It's quite a touching story revolving around 2 boys who fall in love at school while trying to avoid the molestations of an abusive priest/teacher, and then what happens to them in later life. It involves love, betrayal, blackmail and murder. Brilliant.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For me, this is the best Almodóvar film to date. The plot is complex but comes together by the end of the film and is gripping throughout (I won't go into the plot as the synopsis and other reviews can be viewed on this site). The performances from all the main characters (particularly Gael García Bernal) are stunning and the film takes the viewer through a gamut of emotions, from hilarity through poignancy and spine-chilling suspense. The film score needs to be acknowledged too: it is one of the best I've heard - somehow the composer, Alberto Iglesias, manages to fuse a Bernard Hermann (composer of much film music including 'Psycho' and 'Taxi Driver') style along with early nineteenth century ecclesiastic choral music (using a boys chorus). During the film - one of my favourite moments - there is an extract from the Kyrie from Rossini's 'Petite Messe Solennelle' - this moment is electrifying as is the music during the closing credits - don't reach for your coat, stay and listen! Not much more to say except that Almodóvar gets better and better as he matures, and this film is his best yet.
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Y. Bissett
Format:DVD
I have to admit I am a huge fan of Almodovar. He is known in certain circles as the Woman's Director, but the central relationship here is between two men. I don't want to go into the plot, as it is complicated, contains twists and too many characters that any explanation would spoil it. Suffice it to say, two boys become very close intimate friends in their catholic school and their story unfolds years later within the Spanish film industry. The two leads are excellently cast, especially Gael Garcia Bernal, who looks fabulous in drag.
Purported to be loosely autobiographical, this film tackles some very controversial topics, particularly the abuse of young boys by catholic priests. The film manages to illustrate this subject without being too sexual or explicit. It maintains pace throughout, and never fails to twist itself into knots. To fully follow the flashback/film scenes plot, I recommend watching it twice.
All in all, in my opinion, not as good as "Talk to Her", and probably not as widely appealing as "All About My Mother", but highly watchable for anyone willing to spend a while in Almodovar's world.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Almodovar DVD's
This box set of Almodovar DVD's is a truly wonderful collection of some of the director's films.
If you are considering buying this collection then you are possibly... Read more
If you are considering buying this collection then you are possibly... Read more
Published 1 month ago by andy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gael García Bernal at his very best.
Gael García Bernal at his very best.
If you have not watched it before I suggest not read the plot. Perfectly structured, engaging. Read more
If you have not watched it before I suggest not read the plot. Perfectly structured, engaging. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MV
5.0 out of 5 stars
Almodovar is just..a genius!
As a Spanish teacher I share this film, among others, with my students (be aware of the age restriction). However, it should have Spanish subtitles... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Arriaga
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very moved by this film.
I don't want my review to be filled with spoilers, but as a gay man i found this film to be very moving. A film of love, tragedy, and wit. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. N. R. Partridge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never a dull moment
As long as you're not shocked by men engaging in fairly explicit homosexual acts this is a film to be enjoyed for its clever use of parallel stories that keep you gripped, great... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bluebell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review for Almodovar's collection
I had an issue with one of the DVDs as it was scratched, however I received a full refund for all of the discs. Much appreciated! Thank you!
Published on 25 Feb 2011 by Jozefina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good start for your film collection
If you are interested in film, this is a nice selection of master Almodovar's films.
Published on 1 Sep 2010 by Viv
4.0 out of 5 stars
Complex mystery and morality
Fascinatingly complex nourish mystery. A film-maker is reunited with a boyhood lover, who wants to tell a dark story from their Catholic school days. But is the story true? Read more
Published on 29 July 2010 by K. Gordon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shocking ... and maybe a little bit overdone!
I found the movie by accident between documentaries about animals, religion and life in Africa. Because of the current discussions about sexual abuse within the catholic church I... Read more
Published on 8 July 2010 by Zauberlehrling!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Stylish Thriller - Almodovar At His Best
The thought of watching a flick about a paedophile priest abusing young boys isn't my idea of entertainment, but watching another excellent performance from Gael Garcia Bernal was... Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2010 by The Critic Ali Insane
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