Women on the verge of.. extreme hilarity (Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (DVD))

Member Name: shootyourshot

Product:	Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (DVD)
Date:	05/05/01 (250 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: funny script, good acting, clever manipulation of film techniques

Disadvantages: subtitles - if you dislike them, sometimes confusing/poor plot

The film that confirmed Pedro as a force to be reckoned with starred his long time collaborator - Carmen Maura in the lead role as Pepa - a voice over actress who is having an affair with a married family man and is - you guessed it - on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

When I first saw this film i didn't actually like it that much, I found the script long winded and couldn't relate to any of the characters. As my cinema going and film tastes improved I rewatched this film and enjoyed it immensely. The film centres around Pepa and the various people (mostly women) who careen in and out of her life in a short space of time. All the characters are linked by the relationship of Pepa and her lover - Ivan. Ivan's son being played by the pre-famous Antonio Banderas (whose wife is played by the "picasso faced" Rossy De Palma.

The story is a tangled web of affairs and relationships with a great climax. There is the usual Almodovar stylisation (sometimes at the expense of the story's momentum) for examp[le there is a colour coded dress theme - watch out for it.

My favourite feature of the film is when he employs drama on various levels (no i am not getting deep and meaningful - this is Almodovar remember) I mean action. The scene where Pepa throws out Ivan's things is the one to watch as three characters are on screen (unaware of each others presence) in the foreground, middleground and background. Its touches like this that make Almodovar's films a treat for the eyes.

The film is good but i suggest two viewings to better understand the plot and notice different themes etc.

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