Dodgy subverted sexual politics are at play in Pedro Almodovar’s 1989 feature.
Released from a mental home, the manipulative yet handsome Ricky (Antonio Banderas) kidnaps former porn star now serious actress, Marina (Victoria Abril). Holding her hostage in her own Madrid apartment, Ricky’s objective is to make Marina fall in love with him.
Lots of near-miss farce – particularly with sister Lola (Loles León) – pepper the narrative as the two come to understand each other and their lives living on the margins. With its threatening undercurrent, Almodavar instead chooses to twist its dark humour creating a colourful, anarchic serious rom-com. Go figure!
Rating: 60%
Director: Pedro Almodóvar (Talk To Her, Julieta)
Writer: Pedro Almodóvar (Talk To Her, Julieta)
Main cast: Antonio Banderas (The Skin I Live In, The Mask of Zorro), Victoria Abril (Kika, Amantes), Loles León (Talk To Her, El mundo entero)
An Opinion or Two 