Los abrazos rotos (2009)

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writer:

Pedro Almodóvar (writer)

Release Date:

18 March 2009 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

Harry Caine, a blind writer, reaches this moment in time when he has to heal his wounds from 14 years back. He was then still known by his real name, Mateo Blanco, and directing his last movie. |

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Female Nudity | Car Crash | Filmmaker | Blind Person

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Penélope Cruz	...	Lena
Lluís Homar	...	Mateo Blanco / Harry Caine
Blanca Portillo	...	Judit García
José Luis Gómez	...	Ernesto Martel
Rubén Ochandiano	...	Ray X
Tamar Novas	...	Diego
Ángela Molina	...	Madre de Lena (Lena's Mother)
Chus Lampreave	...	Portera (Concierge)
Kiti Manver	...	Madame Mylene
Lola Dueñas	...	Lectora de labios (Lip Reader)
Mariola Fuentes	...	Edurne
Carmen Machi	...	Chon
Kira Miró	...	Model
Rossy de Palma	...	Julieta
Alejo Sauras	...	Álex

Also Known As:

Broken Embraces (International: English title) (UK) (USA)
Broken Hugs (USA) (literal English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug material.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Ireland:15A | USA:R (certificate #45474) | Argentina:16 | New Zealand:M | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | UK:15 | South Korea:18 | Japan:PG12 | Singapore:M18 | Mexico:B15

Filming Locations:

Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Company:

El Deseo S.A.

Trivia:

In an interview with El País in March 2009, Pedro Almodóvar revealed that the idea for the lip reader played by Lola Dueñas came from watching the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Asturias on Spain's Telecinco, where the services of a lip reader were employed by the channel to relay what the couple were saying to each other as they stood at the altar.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: After Ernesto pushed Lena on the staircase, he takes her to the hospital in his Rolls Royce. When they approach the metal gate of his Villa, you can see, almost in the middle of the frame, a blue square with a man inside, most probably a crew person.

Movie Connections:

References Fanny och Alexander (1982)

Soundtrack:

A ciegas

Another Visual Masterpiece of Almodóvar the Great

Today I went to see "Los Abrazos Rotos". Two shows. One by one. My friends said me I was crazy. But I didn't care much about what they said. I knew exactly what I was doing. And surely I don't regret.

Almodóvar's movies just demand it. Each time you see them you discover new levels, meanings, brilliant details and fascinating references. But you don't get to notice all these as long as you are busy with the plot. And I guess that was the problem with all the unfavorable reviewers here. Pedro never was a director of plots. In any case, not in the first place. He is a great artist and the highest value of his films is the visual and the emotional, which never failed to be just perfect. And also I must say, even though some would probably find it naive, uncritical, prejudged or whatever else, that when you deal with a work of a master of the highest rank, and for me it is doubtless that Almodóvar is just such one, you must wait with your judgments until you sure you didn't miss something.

"Los Abrazos Rotos" is a great film. It is highly complicate and simple at the same time. It is touching, fascinating and meditating. The close-ups and the details are great. Recall the close shot on Penélope Cruz' red shoes, while she is leaving Ernesto or the voluptuous apples from the gigantic painting in Ernesto's dining room. The shot when Lena's tear drops on the tomato she is cutting for gazpacho was just breathtaking, immediately calling into mind the marvelous shot from "Tajones Lejanos". And of course it is impossible not to notice the splendid interplay with Pedro's early masterpiece "Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios". Those who are not familiar with it will certainly miss a lot of fun. To mention just one, Almodóvar's old friend, brilliant Rosi de Palma making the part of Julieta Serrano was simply incredible and absolutely irreplaceable.

And talking about acting, what can I say? Penélope Cruz again has proved herself as a great actress, sensitive and powerful, and of course enormously beautiful. I think Almodóvar is unsurpassed in his capacity to show her that gorgeous. Blanca Portillo gave probably her best performance, even comparing to her character in "Volver". Her Judith García (I guess any Pedro's fan wouldn't hesitate where the family name comes from) was superb, tragic in her everlasting sense of guilt, and simultaneously incredibly funny in her dealing with highly dramatic issues, and always passionate and calling to empathy. And Lluís Homar in the leading role was just amazing, brilliantly exploring the pain, the strength, and the ultimate catharsis of his character. I'm sure that now the notorious reproach to Almodóvar, that he only knows to direct women, is completely irrelevant and silly (which actually was already clear after "La Ley del Deseo").

The Music in Almodóvar's films since "La Flor de mi Secreto", that is since he has found his own Nino Rota, and I refer of course to heavenly Alberto Iglesias, so that music is just beyond any comparison. I think that Almodóvar is (and always was) one of the rare directors that understand the great impact of music to movies, and what is even more important he knows to use it in absolutely perfect way. Personally, I am in his huge debt, for introducing me to such legends of Spanish Music as Chavela Vargas.

I give "Los Abrazos Rotos" full 10, and I'm sure that after seeing it couple of times more even that highest rate will seem to me just not enough.

Mucho gracias Pedro!