2009 Movie
Dir. Pedro Almodóvar · Germany, Spain · English, Spanish
A blind man remembers his love in this melancholic, noirish romance thriller
Is there any other filmmaker more suited to the melodrama than Pedro Almodóvar? Broken Embraces holds many of the themes he’s often played with, but this time through the cynicism of film noir, with time moving a blind man into stoic silence. As he remembers the doomed production and tragic love triangles he was caught in, Almodóvar reckons with the weight of the camera, of how it created and ended love through the way each lens was used, and how there’s still much left to uncover from the memories that were captured. Referencing classic titles from the film noir as well as Almodóvar’s own movies, Broken Embraces is a love letter to film itself, of the craft and obsession that couldn’t be separated from it.
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.
"Like an elaborately woven cobweb, it's a marvel but so full of holes that it's all too easily swept from memory."
— Sophie Ivan
After the death of multimillionaire Ernesto Martel, blind writer Harry Caine picks up his agent’s son Diego at the hospital, leading Harry to tell the story of his past life as prominent filmmaker Mateo Blanco.
Given that the film is centered around Mateo’s former lover, it won’t be a surprise that Penélope Cruz stands out in this film. Her performance, as well as the way she’s depicted, would be the one you’ll most likely remember after the film ends.
It's not Almodóvar's best, but my gosh. This was still so good.
Cannes
1 nom
Golden Globes
1 nom
BAFTA
1 nom
NYFCC
1 nom
European Film Awards
1 win · 3 noms
Goya Awards
1 win · 4 noms
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
"Though the film offers nothing new for the eyes, its wordiness ultimately acts as a complement rather than a drawback to Almodóvar's masterful storytelling."
— Andrew Chan