Broken Embraces

Dir. Pedro Almodóvar
Starring: Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandiano
Spain, 2009, 127 mins.

Broken Embraces is director Pedro Almodovar’s foray into noir, not since 2004’s A Bad Education, in this clever and comedic, romantic mystery.

The film opens on the face of Lluis Homar, who plays Mateo, a filmmaker and writer who lost his sight and the love of his life, Lena, during a car accident 14 years ago and has now reduced himself to his pseudonym “Harry Caine.” Penelope Cruz is stunning as Lena, an actress torn between Mateo and the aging millionaire who has paved her career and paid for her extravagant lifestyle. Now, the old producer is dead, and through a series of flashbacks, the audience is swept away in perhaps the most torrid, sensuous and confusing four-way love triangle one would ever encounter.

Broken Embraces is chock full of stylistic tricks, beautifully-shot scenes full of saturated colors, and witty writing. Cruz is ravishing as the emotional Lena, and Blanca Portillo is sensational in a supporting role as Judit, Harry Caine’s faithful production manager.