tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746189833925666296.post3722888388947030406..comments2024-03-18T13:39:29.215-04:00Comments on the phantom country: Touching from a distance: Penélope Cruz and Lluís Homar on all that's elusive and alluring in Almodóvar's Broken EmbracesJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319721431296639419noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746189833925666296.post-53731211517635004192010-01-13T19:45:47.084-05:002010-01-13T19:45:47.084-05:00Thanks so much, Paul.
It's true that on a se...Thanks so much, Paul. <br /><br />It's true that on a second viewing I was aware of some of the criticisms I've seen lodged against the movie, such as the degree to which narrative is revealed through talk rather than action... Well, really, it's mostly just that one scene with Homar and Blanca Portillo and the son in the bar. But I just couldn't really see this as a major flaw. <br /><br />Most Almodóvar movies are spilling over with an awful lot of story, and if some of that story is dealt with in through conversation with the emotional complexity of the scene in question, it just doesn't strike me as a failure. In fact, for a story about a blind man, it made sense to me that we would find a certain degree of revelation through talk. And the talkier, present tense parts, including that terrific spitballing session about the vampire movie, balance nicely against the truly spectacular flashbacks. The lovers' escape to the coast was both subtly creepy and breathtakingly beautiful.<br /><br />I also think the movie should be regarded as a stand-out if for no other reason than for Cruz and Homar's performances.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319721431296639419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746189833925666296.post-48173244289241745912010-01-13T15:52:47.927-05:002010-01-13T15:52:47.927-05:00Lovely review, JB!
I'm glad you enjoyed it as...Lovely review, JB!<br /><br />I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as you did... I see a lot of write-ups suggesting that Almodovar is kind of spinning his wheels on this one, or at least that it's a comparatively minor effort. But I agree with you that it's one of his best, a film that unfolds its mysteries with the grace and serenity of a master director.Paul Matwychukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01917384620564525389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746189833925666296.post-64800390793984971672010-01-13T01:33:45.001-05:002010-01-13T01:33:45.001-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Broken Embraceshttp://www.moviewatchlist.com/movie-Broken_Embracesnoreply@blogger.com