The Flower of My Secret [VHS] [1996]

"The Flower of My Secret" is a gem of a film, as you would expect from Spanish film legend, Pedro Almodovar. It tells the story of Leo (MARISA PARADES) whose marriage to her soldier husband is coming to an end, though she is reluctant to believe it is. Turning to alcohol for comfort, her unhappiness begins to effect all aspects of her life - not least her work. Leo leads a secret double life as the popular, yet unknown author of romantic fiction, Amanda Gris. But as she nears breakdown she finds it increasingly difficult to write such novels and yearns to write truly great literature. Her only real friend Betty, a psychologist, is strangely distant and cold towards her, but does recommend that she go and see her friend Angel, a journalist who gives Leo a job with the newspaper El Pais, writing about literature. Angel is a man who, like Leo, has a penchant for alcohol and, surprisingly, romantic fiction... Leo's life reaches crisis point and as her mother points out, she is like a "cow without a cowbell" - lost and drifting, with no direction in her life. I won't give any more away, only to say that this film is funny and touching, with a great cast of actors. Look out for Spanish dancing star Joaquin Cortes (a.k.a Naomi Campbell's ex) who makes a special appearance, and Leo's mother and sister who provide wonderfully comedic moments with their constant bickering and seem intent on driving one another insane! A must-see film for all fans of both Almodovar and the wonderful Marisa Parades.

I really liked this film and found the main character Leo captivating. I also found her journey through the streets of Madrid really interesting, and the links between the characters very interesting. Leo's mother and sister were both excellent in this and really funny with their constant arguments, and taunts about the family's madness gene. I find the plot flowed well and retained interest throughout; though it was much more restrained than Almodovar's other work. I think at the heart of it was a person frustrated with the fiction of their lives and a number of characters in this film wanted to throw off the falsity and deceit in their lives, including Leo's best friend.
An interesting point - the plot of 'Leo's' dark novel 'The Freezer' is remarkably similar to Almodovar's recent film Volver, with the daughter who murders her father when he tries to rape her and her mother, who helps hide the murder by burying the body in a deep freezer unit in a neighbouring restaurant.

If you want darker Almodovar you would prefer some ohter titles. This one is full of life and exquisite dialogues. Marisa Paredes at her best. A beautifull song at the end titles. If you like her, try also High Heels: brilliant and with a superb sellection of music.

Okay, 'Flower Of My Secret' isn't the most famous Almodovar film. I guess anyone thinking of buying it will already have seen 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown', 'Volver', 'Talk to Her', 'Bad Education' and 'All About My Mother'. Which is fine. All of the above are fantastic. 'Flower Of My Secret' is a must-buy simply because it's as good as any Almodovar movie. It strips away most of the director's most obvious preoccupations - I think this one has a zero tranny count, for example - and tells a simpler story with beauty, delicacy and style. Beautifully written, shot and acted, 'Flower Of My Secret' deserves to be better known.

Sweet, and very well acted. This is much less wild and outrageous than earlier Almodovar, but compensates by having more real emotion. Still, this has two of his usual key elements -- dramatic use of intense color, and a melodramatic, almost soapy, story. It's clear he loves melodrama at the same time he gently pokes fun at it.

But in 'Flower of My Secret' the soap has more underpinnings in humanity, with subtler behavior and humor. Technically he gets even better with this film. It's beautiful, shot in a more subdued style than his earlier work. Not a great movie, but a good, entertaining, human one that paves the way to his later fully 'real' and moving masterpieces like 'Talk to Her'. Lovely performances.

There seem to be two distinct groups among Almodovar fans. Those who prefer his earlier, wilder, more genre busting work, and those who prefer his more recent, subtler films. I'm in the second group, but can completely understand those who feel differently. And where you fall on that scale is likely to have a big impact on your reaction to this film.

One almadovar is a must even if he is not your kind of director, if you consider yourself a cineaste. Flower of my secret is accessible to people who might find his other films more difficult (I don't). His stable of actors themselves are worth a view. Beats big bangs and thuggish characters from the churn'em out schools!