The movie is called "Talk to Her" and its central theme is an age-old
concern and mystery--that of love. Piramus and Thisby, Romeo and Juliet,
Peleas and Melisande knew love--forbidden love. Then there's the Love
Boat, where romance is managed weekly in 48 minute time slots. Or Love
Story, where love means you never have to say you're sorry.
Pedro Almodóvar's new film "Talk to Her" pushes the boundaries of love
much further. The story concerns two men, Marco and Benigno, who, by
chance, sit together one night at the theatre. Marco is so moved by the
performance that he is moved to tears, and Benigno is fascinated by
Marco's reaction.
Later the two men meet up again, in a hospital. Benigno is a nurse,
taking care of a comatose patient named Alicia. Marco is at the hospital
visiting his girlfriend, who has recently gone into a coma after being
gored in a bullfight. The men strike up a friendship, as they take care
of the inert women. But what these two men have in common is that they
are both deeply flawed characters. Let me accentuate DEEPLY flawed.
It's startling that the protagonist can be likeable and despicable at
the same time. For whatever reason--and we get a few clues--but men are
unable to sustain normal relationships, except perhaps with each other.
Talk to Her has been nominated for two Academy Awards. One for best
director and one best original screen play, both for Almodovar. The man
has an award list you can't jump over, including the Oscar for best
foreign film for All About My Mother. This year, however, his
nominations aren't isolated in the foreign film categories.
"Talk to Her" bizarre and complicated with twists and turns that are
unexpected and yet somehow possible within the world Almodóvar creates.
Even with subtitles the story is so compelling you don't have a moment
to do anything but be completely engaged.
There are so many amazing moments in this film. I adored Rosario Flores
as the female matador. The dancing is completely amazing, and the
copulation scene is certainly one of the most bizarre I have ever seen.
The end result is a very wonderful film. "Talk to Her" is enthralling.
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