Tuesday, March 16, 2010
PHOTOS |
COMING SOON|
EXAMINER.COM FILM ARTICLES
||HOME
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
DVD REVIEW
Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces)
Pedro Almodóvar's Passion
For Cinema: Vibrant
Three films and at least two love stories: Carmen Machi
and Penelope Cruz in "Girls With Suitcases", directed by Mateo Blanco (played
here by Lluís Homar) in Pedro Almodóvar's "Broken Embraces", out today on Blu-Ray
and DVD in the U.S. and Canada.
Sony Pictures Classics
By
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
FOLLOW
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
For those who haven't yet seen Pedro Almodovar's "Broken Embraces" (Los Abrazos
Rotos) there's little excuse now, as the film makes its debut on Blu-Ray and DVD
today in the U.S. and Canada.
Some film critics dismissed this gem when it arrived in November and December
2009 in the major media markets of the U.S., but "Broken Embraces", while not
Mr. Almodovar's very best film, is the one of his many great films I find myself
enjoying the most. It transcends a "ten best films" list.
Layered with his love for cinema and littered with irony, comedy and sexual
innuendo, "Broken Embraces" sparkles with passion, energy and a rich palette of
color and cinematic references, many of them Hitchcockian. This
film-within-a-film-within-a-film has at least two love stories, and stars Lluís
Homar as Harry Caine, a filmmaker hindered by lack of sight but not of vision.
He's remembering the past, and fondly: a love affair with Lena (Penélope Cruz),
a multi-faceted character who has seen a lot in her young life.
Decorated with mystery, intrigue, melancholy and psychology, "Broken Embraces"
is arguably Mr. Almodóvar's most personal film.
The Blu-Ray edition of "Los Abrazos Rotos" further enhances the fourth
collaboration between Ms. Cruz and Mr. Almodóvar. As well as the beautiful
1080p high-definition transfer of this two-hour, seven minute film, there are
numerous special features. Three deleted scenes, including additional
moments from the hilarious "Girls With Suitcases" sequence, highlight the Blu-Ray
disc's extras, as does the director's short film entitled "The Cannibalistic
Councillor", a very funny seven-minute monologue featuring Carmen Machi, who
brilliantly delivers classic comedy in "Suitcases".
There's a ten-minute featurette entitled "Pedro Directs Penelope", which shows
the auteur on the set directing his muse. Shorter extras include
then-Variety film critic Todd McCarthy interviewing Ms. Cruz late last year in
Los Angeles as part of the magazine's Q&A series, although the conversation is
heavily edited.
Finally, there's a red carpet minute or two from last year's closing night at
the New York Film Festival, featuring the director and actress. It is
moving to see Ms. Cruz and Mr. Almodóvar speak so fondly of each other, almost
as moving and tender as observing the warmth, love and respect Ossie Davis and
Ruby Dee had for each other as long-time partners.
Released by Sony Pictures Classics, the "Broken Embraces" Blu-Ray disc has the
film's original theatrical trailer, the BD Live interactive feature and in-film
looks at the extras while not losing one's place when leaving the main film.
A choice of French Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 HDMA audio is included.
English and French subtitles are supplied as options.
"Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces) is done great justice by a terrific Blu-Ray
presentation. Hopefully the film will now get the respect and appreciation
it deserves. There's so much more that the director has here than what one
sees and feels. A Criterion Collection edition is certainly in order.
As Roger Ebert's Far-flung Correspondent: Omar's
written and video discussion of "Broken Embraces" (February 17, 2010)
Omar's "Broken Embraces" movie review on The
Popcorn Reel (December 19, 2009)
"Broken Embraces" original theatrical trailer
Scene from "Broken Embraces"
FOLLOW
Read more movie reviews and stories from Omar
here.
Read Omar's "Far-Flung Correspondent" reports for America's pre-eminent Film
Critic Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times -
here
SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPCORN REEL MOVIE
NEWS RSS FEED
PHOTOS |
COMING SOON|
EXAMINER.COM FILM ARTICLES
||HOME