The following films are on a box set of DVD's called The Pedro Almodovar Collection. They are better than his early movies, but only the odd one shows real promise.
From 1989 comes Tie Me Up Tie Me Down starring a very young Antonio Banderos. One of Almodovar's favourite actors, this was already their fifth collaboration. (They come full circle thirty years later with Pain and Glory, my favourite film of last year. Nominated for best international film and best actor at the Oscars, it won lots of other awards). But the star of the film is Victoria Abril. Although partly a romantic comedy, it veers into uncomfortable territory with it's depiction of abuse. It would never be made that way today.The story has too many faults, but the cinematography is a step up, possibly with a bigger budget.
Another young actor, this time Javier Bardem. His co-star in Live Flesh from 1997 is Francesca Neri and there is a supporting role for a young Penelope Cruz. Nothing memorable about the film except for Bardem confined to a wheelchair.
All About My Mother in 1999 was the big breakthrough for Pedro Almodovar. It was a huge leap forward in both his writing and direction. There is a wonderful performance from lead actress Cecilia Roth and good support from Marisa Paredes and, again, Penelope Cruz. The ensemble acting of the actresses was top drawer. The film won best international film at the Oscars, and also at the BAFTA's where it also won best director and nominated for best screenplay. Barcelona looked great the music was lovely and it was quite emotional. It's one of those films that if you just go with it, you get the reward. I just wish I had seen it at the cinema.
Looking at a clip from the Oscars of 2000, Almodovar must have known he had won when Antonio Banderos and Penelope Cruz came on to present the nominations for Best International Film.
There seem to be always controversial parts of an Almodovar movie, not least in 2002's Talk to Her. I skipped the part on bullfighting. Although it was integral to the story, another device would have been much better. Again the ensemble acting is first rate. The director now knows how to get the actors to relate to each other. There is a small role for Chus Lampreave towards the end that is pure genius. quite a sensitive story, but one of the leads (Javier Camara) is so creepy. I wasn't surprised what happens to him at the end. It is quite a sad film.
Bad Education from 2004 is definitely not my type of film despite a wonderful performance by Gael Garcia Bernal. Here he plays both brothers with panache. And he who went on to star in The Motorcycle Diaries and Babel amongst many others. Playing opposite is Fele Martinez as a young film director, and as this is supposedly autobiographical, we must assume this is a young Pedro. But he is actually telling the story of Ignacio and Juan, the brothers. Again the ensemble acting is great. It is one of those movies you wonder for the first half just where it is going. But it is all to set up for the wonderful second. A tiny part for Leonor Watling who last appeared in a coma in Talk To Her. Almodovar does like casting actors more than once.
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