Talk to Her (Hable Con Ella
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar.
Starring Javier Camara, Leonor Watling and Rosario Flores.
Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film 2003, Talk to Her is another thought-provoking film from Oscar winning director Pedro Almodóvar. All About My Mother, Almodóvar’s last film, ended with a theatre curtain opening to reveal a darkened stage. Talk to Her begins with the same curtain also opening.
Two men, Benigno and Marco sit next to each other in a theatre by chance. Months later, they meet at a private clinic where Benigno works as a sole carer to Alicia, a young ballet student in a coma. Marco’s girlfriend, Lydia, a bullfighter, has been gored and is also in a coma. A friendship develops between the two men as they care for and share a devotion to women who cannot return their affection.
Famous for dark vibrant comedies and domestic or sex dramas, this film heralds a major change of direction for Almodóvar. The story line is simple yet complex as the film skillfully contrasts the frozen time within the walls of the clinic and the past, present and future lives of the four characters. The actors are outstanding, illuminating four different views of loneliness. But Javier Camara’s (Benigno) performance as a deeply tragic but yet even heroic figure anchors the film.
The stand out highlight must be the Bunuelesque Shrinking Lover, a 7 minute silent film within the film. This elegant pastiche is exquisitely Almodóvarian — funny, tender and slightly shocking and an amazing commentary on Talk to Her itself.
There are many very worthwhile films vying for your movie dollars at the moment — I would put this one very near the top of the list.
Notdubya
