Rating: 
Summary: His tamest so far . . . so stop your whining!
Review: I can't understand all the angry complaints and bad reviews people are giving this film based upon its subject matter. Obviously those who are complaining ARE NOT familar with Almodovar's films and HAVE NOT followed his career from the begining. Sure the subject matter is a bit shocking and you can be appalled by the sympathetic slant Almodovar takes towards Benigno but by far this is the tamest film Almodovar has made!
In Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down a porn star is kidnapped, raped and falls in love with her abuser! In Dark Habits, nuns run a half way house for female drug addicts however the nuns are supplying the girls with the drugs and Mother Superior is a lesbian who seduces them. I could go on and on. So if you find this film appalling, then Almopdovar most certianly isn't the director for you. However, if you're open minded, adventurous and interested in a thoughtful, beautifully shot, well acted film that will have you coming away emotinally touched by the characters then I highly recommend Talk To Her to you.
Rating: 
Summary: Almodovar's Brilliant Meditation on Human Connections
Review: The most important consideration to keep in mind when watching Almodovar's penetrating film, "Talk to Her" is that the film, the plot, and the characters should not be viewed in a literal sense, but rather symbolically, almost allegorically. The two ballets that bookmark the film, as well as the silent film within the film, represent the messages that the diretor is attempting to convey; that being the navigation of the obstacles one encounters in relationships and living itself, and the various ways humans attempt to connect, learn about each other, and overcome the many obstacles.Almodovar makes clear that this need for connection transcends the pat male/female roles and even the accepted notions of human sexuality and sexual orientation. It is no accident that among the characters are a male nurse, a female matador, a seemingly macho travel writer who cries when sad memories are awakened, and women in comas as the objects of affection. Almodovar brilliantly turns all "acceptable" roles on their ears and categorically proclaims that true love is spiritual and can exist and be fueled by many seemingly unuusal situations. The need for human connection supercedes humanity's constant efforts to dictate what constitutes a "normal" relationship. "Talk to Her" is a fascinating exploration of human loneliness and the need to connect in any way possible. It is one of Almodovar's most poetic, enigmatic and affecting films.
Rating:
Summary: excellent, excellent, excellent
Review: The other night at dinner somebody asked what everyone thought the best movie of the past two years was. Somebody came up with "Mulholland Drive," and most everyone agreed that this was a good choice. Then a few minutes went by, and it hit me: "Talk to Her." I presented that answer to the table, and everyone agreed with great enthusiasm. I think it's hard for a movie to be very serious without being dreary, pretentious, or melodramatic. Almodovar's made that rare thing, a truly great film, which deserves to be held up alongside the great works of art and literature. I recommend this movie without reservation.
Rating:
Summary: Not getting it, eh ?
Review: A lot of these low rates reviews seem to have a problem with the rape case in this film. Not the story (if it's belivable), not the acting nor the cinematography, but with one simple thing that this movie is saying.
Rape issue is more symbolic than straight forward, seeing how the rape scene is actually played as a silent film-in-film. The woman in silent-film is in state of sleep, when her little lover enters her and stays there forever. Alicia is in coma (deep sleep) when her lover enters her and stays there "forever" (manifested in pregnancy and the child).
There is nothing heroic nor romantic about Benigno, but it's lonelyness, sadness and misplaced love, or feeling of love that comes from him. He's misguided by his own obsession that is disguiesed as love. He commits the hideous crime (which to him is an act of love) and is punished for it by....oh guess what...death. There is no rape glorification there, good people (by the way, anyone noticed comments on rapes within church ?).
Alicia's awakening is not some excellent side-effect of a rape, but its symbolic to the fact that those unlucky victims of rape can have somewhat normal life even after such terrible thing. It may not be easy, and they'll have to go through it step by step (just like Alicia starts practicing for dancing), but it's doable, if very hard.
Other than that, Lydia's character is great, and bullfighting scenes are breathtaking, such contrasts against each other: gracefull woman against bloody, wounded, 500kg bull. Too bad she was in for so short time.
Also dancing scenes are amazing too, cinematography is wonderfull, it's trully beautiful movie, do watch it if you have chance. (I just wanted to discuss the rape issue anyway).
Rating:
Summary: Another brilliantly twisted love story from Almodóvar
Review: Pedro Almodóvar presents another brilliantly twisted love story in TALK TO HER (Hable con ella), one that I can't stop thinking about. Javier Cámara as Benigno, a coma hospice nurse, was the standout performance for me. Beningo is both masculine and feminine, man and child, gentle and aggressive, caring and obsessive. At first glance, he appears to be grounded in the harsh realities of working in a coma clinic, but soon we see that he living in a fantasy world in which his comatose patient, Alicia, will marry him. He lovingly cares for her: cutting her hair, manicuring her nails, massaging her lifeless limbs and taking her out onto the terrace to sunbathe. He constantly speaks to Alicia, describing movies and dance performances, asking her opinion on furnishings for the love nest he's creating for them out of his late mother's apartment. Norman Bates through the lens of Almodóvar. Rosario Flores cuts quite a figure in the role of Lydia, a bullfighter. She is a rangy figure, all huge features on a long, slim face and ropy body. She looks quite out of place when she wears 'traditional' women's clothing and jewelry with her hair down, but is striking in the elaborate traditional dress of the toreador. When she appears in the ring she is quite ugly (by conventional definition) but you can't take your eyes off her. Like Beningo (and all the other characters ultimately) she is an intriguing combination of male and female, power and submission, modern and traditional. There is not a wasted shot in this film. Almodóvar's eye is utterly precise, as he weaves this wild and unlikely story in which the characters' world progressively grows smaller, as their lives draw together and begin to overlap. Although ultimately I might like ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER more, I could hardly deny the power of this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Perverse and Shallow
Review: Pedro Almodóvar's movie about the twists and turns of the human psyche and the complexities of intimacy. Although the film is well directed, the plot and theme is of such a perverse nature that I cannot give it the rating it would otherwise deserve. In addition to being somewhat predictable, the movie comes out as nothing more than vulgar cinema attempting to make the grotesque appear acceptable if not noble. Almodovar tries to make the demented and perverse character of Benigno (Javier Camara)appear as a sympathetic fallen hero which he cannot be. Benigno's actions are harldy the inescapable dilemmas Oedipus encountered: they were conscious choices. Benigno's actions can only be seen as morally unjustifiable and beyond redemption: no matter how hard he tries, Almodovar's subsequent attempt at portraying Benigno's self-inflicted demise as a tragedy fails because it can only be seen as a just punishment. Trying to further present Benigno as a fallen hero because his crime, by chance, allows Marco (Dario Grandinetti)to find his true love is but a failed attempt. One cannot justify the most vile criminal acts by the positive occurrence of chance and mere coincidence. The movie's suggestions as to the twists of fate and how such could justify such sick criminal conduct is utterly naive, perverse, and grotesque. In short, the storyline itself is nothing more than trash. Its "creativity" shows more a lack of imagination: as if the story writer got tired of old noble themes and had to go find new ones in the depths of the morally revulsive to pass as novel and creative.
Rating:
Summary: Almodovar 's Masterpiece
Review: Firstly I have to admit that I was not an Aldomovar fan, and although All About My Mother was the one I enjoyed the most, I did find his other output, especially his earlier films an 'acquired taste'.
So I did think twice before renting Talk To Her,recommended highly by a couple of friends for some time, but finally I thought winning the award for best foreign language film at the Oscars can not be accidental.
And true to the hype,(for a change!!)since nine out of ten of the films that have been hyped turned out to be disappointing to say the least, Talk to Her was a beautiful film, full of heart and life, tragic and sad yet far from depressing..a very important distinction.
Friendships, obsession, lost loves, and deaths are all themes interwoven cleverly by Almodovar.
I will not go on about the story of the film itself, since it has been well reviewed by many, but I have few observations to make,
The genuis of Almodovar is not only he is the best Spanish director today, and like Tornatore in Italy, soley responsible for reviving the Spanish Cinema industry, but he is an excellent writer as well. It is always more interesting for the director to be the writer too,as it gives the film a personal and much more artistic dimension.
An example of this great writing is obvious in Talk To Her, as I felt sympathy for Benigno,instead of the revulsion that the act that sends him to jail later will undoubtedly and normally induce.
Although I am generally against bull fighting, I too found myself sympathizing with Lydia, the female matador (beautifully played by Rosario Flores), and this is all the result of powerful writing!
The soundtrack was beautiful,tragic and melancholic but somehow subdued and never overbearing..just gently complementing the scenes.
For me personally, this is Almodovar's best film to date, one that will surprise you, will captivate you from the first minute to the last, a film that reminded me why I love cinema so much.
Rating:
Summary: On My All-time Top Ten!
Review: I've watched this film, probably 6 or 7 times, and each time, I've walked away with something new. Almodóvar has brilliantly weaved together this new masterpiece by incorporating silent film, music, ballet, flashbacks, and scenes shot out of sequence to come up with a seemingly simple film which will surly stick with you for a long time. Telling you the plot would be pointless, this is, in my opinion, one of those that you just have to watch, having no idea what's going to happen. The acting is exceptional, the character's are unforgettable, the script is perfect, the pace is such, so as to keep you guessing, but still allows time for all the subtle elements which makes this such a rich cinematic experience. Don't hesitate with this one!
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best movie of 2001
Review: Simply wonderful. Don't let the fact that the plot is about two women, each in a coma, and the men who love them, put you off. This is a beautiful, funny, sad, romantic and, yes, sometimes a bit distrubing movie.
Rating:
Summary: An Accomplished Movie
Review: This is my first Almodovar movie, and it's pretty good actually. Being the first of his that I've seen, I watched it and had no idea what sort of tone to expect. The film opens with one of those weird, pretentious stage-performances, and ends with one as well. Both gives great insights into the heart of this film. In the commentary, Almodovar said that he ended All About My Mother with the same curtains that he began with in Talk To Her. His reasoning was that he didn't want all this critical acclaim to get to him. He wanted to stick to his roots and not (for lack of the better word) sell-out. The best part of this movie is that the film accomplishes so many things at once: it's funny, very honest, very original and bizarre, but has a poignant pay-off. I also like how the tone of the film switches throughout. It's also beautifully acted. I guess you can categorize it as a drama, but with the all too human characters and unique situation they're in, it's funny too. I also cannot say enough good things about the black and white movie within the movie. Absolutely unique and funny, but there's a big air of sadness to it, just like the film itself. Reading reviews of Talk To Her (and without spoiling the film), I can understand why some people cannot sympathize with Benigno towards the end, but I don't think we're supposed to. I believe
we are supposed to just watch this world as Pedro presents it, and ask ourselves how we would react to these situations, or better yet, not judge the characters based upon our own beliefs. I'm not condoning Benigno's behavior, but we must accept it in order to better understand his character and Almodovar's intentions. On another note, I heard that Pedro lobbied to direct The Hours, but was denied. While it's intriguing to think of what he would've done with the material, I'm glad he tackled this project instead. Besides, The Hours turned out to be a very good film anyway, and had Pedro done it, we wouldn't have Talk to Her.
All in all, I enjoyed this movie and will be watching more Almodovar films in the future. I won't buy the DVD, but it was a good watch. The anamorphic transfer is excellent, and there's only a commentary track with it. I listened to the commentary, and Pedro is very funny but also seems to love the human spirit. He talks lovingly about the film and its' characters, but also has a lot of interesting insights to say. Almodovar deserved that Academy Award this year. Talk to Her is a true original. Edit -- I watched All About My Mother in early 10/03.. Thought I'd say that I didn't enjoy it as much as Talk to Her. It's a good, sad movie, but not really as original as Talk to Her. Talk to Her is a very distinct and original movie, while All About My Mother doesn't reach those cinematic heights. Pedro's tribute to women indeed. It's okay though, I had Subway for lunch. Second Edit -- I saw Talk to Her again 4/04, and I enjoyed it again. What struck me this time was Pedro's very distinct and beautiful framing and composition. On another note, Pedro Almodovar's new film, Bad Education is opening the '04 Cannes Film Festival. The man's in his prime, so it should be good.
|
