I love Almodovar films. They just tap into a romance and passion that I always associate with Spain and feel like a little two hour trip away to the Iberian peninsula.
Broken Embraces sees Almodovar teamed up with talented and gorgeous Penelope Cruz again and like many of his films has entangled relationships and revelations at its heart. It jumps back and forth in time through the life of a blind script writer and four people who have all been part of his life, as he comes to terms with the events of the past and ultimately moves on.
It is an engaging, charming and intriguing film and the only criticism I can level is that the pace gets a little soggy three quarters through.
Here are some others views:
Guardian "Broken Embraces is a film in which the director demonstrates a
continuing, virtuoso fluency in a cinematic language that he himself
invented. It's an embrace I want to submit to."
The Times "Spain’s most famous
auteur has slightly overcooked his usual recipe this time."
Digital Spy "Film noir belongs to the black-and-white era, but every now and then a director comes along to make it shiny and new again."
And I just love the trailer - it gives just enough away.