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Awix (3310 KP) rated La Ley del Deseo (Law of Desire) (1987) in Movies
Apr 2, 2020 (Updated Apr 2, 2020)
Almodovar's sixth movie is the one that brought him properly to international attention, but it's clear that his distinctive style was already well-developed by this point: there is the same skilful combination of suspense-movie tropes with sometimes-outrageous melodrama, and a sense of narrative playfulness.
Very strong performances from Antonio Banderas and Carmen Maura in particular, although the script seems to lack some of the deftness and confidence Almodovar would show in later movies - the shift from relationship drama to thriller isn't quite as well handled as one could hope for, and some elements of the story really do strain credibility. Nevertheless, an accomplished and engaging movie.
Very strong performances from Antonio Banderas and Carmen Maura in particular, although the script seems to lack some of the deftness and confidence Almodovar would show in later movies - the shift from relationship drama to thriller isn't quite as well handled as one could hope for, and some elements of the story really do strain credibility. Nevertheless, an accomplished and engaging movie.
Awix (3310 KP) rated What Have I Done to Deserve This?! (¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto?) (1984) in Movies
Apr 14, 2020 (Updated Apr 14, 2020)
Almodovar claims his fourth film is a homage to Italian neorealism, but as the wildly silly plot involves teenage drug dealers, the Madrid kendo club, a plot to forge Hitler's diaries, a blood-stained lizard and a telekinetic schoolgirl we'll have to take his word for that. Every bit as camp and provocative as it sounds, if not moreso; possibly trying a bit too hard to be shocking in places (some jokes about a character who's a paedophile orthodontist feel very misjudged these days), but for the most part engaging and very funny.
You'd expect this would all be much too ridiculous to take seriously, but even this early in his career Almodovar is able to find the reality in his characters and make you care about them. Carmen Maura is at the centre of the film and does a terrific job of giving it all some unexpected emotional heft. In the end it's still an absurd black comedy, but one with some warmth and compassion to it. A very entertaining movie.
You'd expect this would all be much too ridiculous to take seriously, but even this early in his career Almodovar is able to find the reality in his characters and make you care about them. Carmen Maura is at the centre of the film and does a terrific job of giving it all some unexpected emotional heft. In the end it's still an absurd black comedy, but one with some warmth and compassion to it. A very entertaining movie.