Talk to Her by Pedro Almodovar

After leaving the cinema I felt slightly uncertain about this film - there were moments that I loved and moments that made me uncomfortable. And I was a bit irritated that the two female characters, who were strong and interesting, both lapsed into comas early in the film and were no longer seen to do anything much. But then again, it isn't a film about women, really. It's not about talking with her, right? And although I couldn't always suspend my disbelief and my brain verved off regularly to compose imaginary film studies essays about various scenes, there were yet a lot of compelling aspects to it all.

We have an Argentinian man who cries when he sees Pina Bausch dancing, or hears Caetano Veloso. Oh, it is sexy to see a man crying over art! You can just imagine Almodovar making notes to himself on what great music or great art he can add to his next film. And there is a sublime moment of a female bullfighter swirling over Elis Regina's singing, which is enough to make me recommend this movie to everyone despite any of my other misgivings. The character of the stalker-turned-nurse is more worrisome (is it love or rape?), making empathetic women in the audience squirm around a bit. And the lengthy tribute to silent surrealist early films comes when you just want to have an intermission.

But ultimately the film rattles around in your brain for a few days after viewing. It's smart and artistic, and the soundtrack is wonderful, which is why I am linking to the music here instead of a dvd.

---

Leave a comment

name
email (if you want to be notified)
<-- Please retype the word you see here:
Notify me when someone replies to this post?

---