Broken Embraces is a story which depicts a directors worst nightmare, his loss of sight. Through flashbacks we gain an insights into how it was lost and we are also introduced to the captivating on screen presence that is Penelope Cruz. However, her beauty certainly does not distract from the stunningly subtle performances she delivers, the tragedy of being trapped in a realtionship is played with sophistication and intelligence. The delicacy of which she handles the role is something that perhaps justifies her recent Oscar win (Which was bizarrely won for her role in Vikki Christina Barcelona)
It is no secret that director Pedro Almodovar is himself obsessed with Cruz, as she has been his muse for many years. Yet I can't quite shake the feeling that he has let this captivation overshadow the other aspects of the film. The character Harry Caine (played by Lluis Homar) is left with uninspiring dialogue and an almost annoying lack of enthusiasm which seemed implausible and undermines the whole point that is trying to being made. The lack of chemistry that is seen between himself and Cruz is also a disappointing flaw that, if solved, would have made for truly realistic passion. This only added to the concern that throughout the whole film an unconvincing level of emotion was shown, a constant lack of drive and intensity that would not allow the drama to ever fully develop.
Despite this, the major success lies in the films aesthetic beauty with Spain acting as a stunning backdrop to what is essentially a cosmetic film. Hwoever, there are themes such as domestic abuse and homophobia which are dealt with so frivolously that the eventually disappointment is expected. Its fair to say that the the film functions fine, but failure to deliver a poignancy or importance within what should be an extremely complex and fulfilling plot is a shame. Such an intriguing concept on paper was not executed to its full potential.
H x
