Lost to Hollywood’s high-tech and eyes-on-the-prize culture, this art remains purely European, still present in “author films” made by the greatest cinematographers of the Old World. A film as one-man show from conception to execution, totally controlled by the creator – every idea followed through or discarded as he pleases - and what’s wrong with that if the man is a genius? Almodovar’s latest convoluted and psychologically layered love story, Broken Embraces, poignantly details his complete obsession with the filmmaking process and his incessant need of fascinating storytelling. In film-within-the-film episodes he uses references to his most famous Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown from 1987, including the unforgettable pitcher of gazpacho laced with sleeping pills… The embraces that are broken in the film are between Lena (Penelope Cruz) and Mateo/Harry (Lluis Homar) whose love is as ideal as it is short-lived. Every character in the film (a stellar supporting cast, as usual) has his/her own tentacle of a story, crawling along or opposite the main line. Among the most interesting side twists is a long shot of Lena’s mother. She watches her graceful young daughter walking away with her ancient boss after admitting Lena’s ill dad into the hospital with the boss’s help. The idea of a sacrifice Lena is about to make to thank the creep for helping her dying father might not even cross her mind, but for the viewer the scene screams of those trivial mundane sacrifices people make every day in the name of love. Almodovar is very good at hints and clues; as good as he is at subtle humor and profound implications. Broken Embraces is yet another enjoyable proof of his generous ingenuity. Opens December 25 in SF, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Campbell, Pleasant Hill, San Jose and San Rafael. For more information, visit sonyclassics.com
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