La mala educación (2004)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writer:

Pedro Almodóvar (writer)

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (Spain)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

An examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends.

Plot Keywords:

School | Teacher | Screenplay | Sexual Abuse | Actor

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 11 wins & 30 nominations

Cast

Gael García Bernal	...	Ángel / Juan / Zahara
Fele Martínez	...	Enrique Goded
Daniel Giménez Cacho	...	Padre Manolo
Lluís Homar	...	Sr. Manuel Berenguer
Francisco Maestre	...	Padre José
Francisco Boira	...	Ignacio
Juan Fernández	...	Martín
Nacho Pérez	...	Ignacio (as Ignacio Pérez)
Raúl García Forneiro	...	Enrique (as Raúl Gª Forneiro)
Javier Cámara	...	Paca / Paquito
Alberto Ferreiro	...	Enrique Serrano
Petra Martínez	...	Madre
Sandra
Roberto Hoyas	...	Camarero

Also Known As:

Bad Education (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
Las visitas (Spain) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated NC-17 for a scene of explicit sexual content.; Rated R for strong sexual content throughout, language and some drug use. (special edition)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish | Latin

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Taiwan:R-18 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Germany:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Brazil:18 | Hungary:16 | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Japan:R-15 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Poland:15 | Singapore:R21 (cut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:NC-17 | USA:R (special edition) | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Escuela Pías de Alella, Alella, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain

Company:

Canal+ España

Trivia:

The film opened the 57th Cannes Film Festival in 2004. It was the first Spanish film to ever get that honor.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When young Ignacio is singing to Father Manolo as a birthday present his lips move a little before we hear the lyrics

Movie Connections:

References Double Indemnity (1944)

Soundtrack:

Torna a Surriento

Sensational movie: a perfect 10

Almodovar's latest film is a tantalizing, hypnotic and sexy mixture of VERTIGO, MEMENTO and MULLHOLLAND DRIVE. It's Almodovar's meatiest and most complex script in years. Although you may be confused early on as you're trying to figure out whats going on, its all revealed later and very satisfyingly. Gael Garcia Bernal is outstanding in his multi-dimensional, multi-character performance. Alberto Iglesia's music is wonderful--a homage to Bernard Herrmann.

The film is rated NC-17, which has more to do with the MPAA Board's homophobia than anything else. Sure, its a sexy drama with elements adult plotpoints, but had the sex scenes in this film been between a man and a woman, rather than two men, this would have easily gotten an R rating. All of the sex scenes are artfully filmed (there is no frontal nudity) and even the subplot concerning a pedophile priest is handled with care.