Blind screenwriter Harry Caine (Lluís Homar) is forced to revisit his past as acclaimed director Mateo Blanco after a mysterious man calling himself Ray X (Rubén Ochandiano) comes to his door trying to convince him to assist him with his idea for screenplay leading him to remember the tragic love story between himself and his one time leading lady Lena (Penélope Cruz).

CRITIQUE

Pedro Almodóvar’s Broken Embraces made my list for the top ten films of 2009. More than that, the filmmaker himself was my choice as the top director of the millennia’s first decade. Put those two together and the Spanish icon’s latest effort is a must-see slam dunk, and just thinking about it again is enough to make me uncommonly grateful I get to write about movies for a living.

Watching it again I can’t say my opinion has changed all that much from the first go-around. Back in December of last year I called Broken Embraces, “so gosh darn fantastic and wonderful I imagine I’m going to be watching it nearly as much as each of those aforementioned [Bad Education, Talk To Her, Volver] modern classics.” As I’ve only had the Blu-ray for a little less than a week and I’ve already screened the film twice I think that statement speaks for itself.

To again quote from my earlier review:

“Redemption. That’s what I think this entry in the Almodóvar canon is all about. The people depicted have each been broken in some way, all seeing tragedy in one form or another keeping them from achieving the sense of peace all are looking for. Their struggle can only end if they open their eyes to the past, even the blind having to see in order for goodness and grace to replace revulsion and self-loathing.

Whether it does or it does not I will not say, and as this is an Almodóvar film to say things could go in a multitude of directions is pretty much a forgone conclusion. The filmmaker kept me continually off balance, my laughs having to find their way through a shower of tears all while the unyielding tension of the central mystery kept my insides twisting into tighter and tighter knots. I was in constant fear that undying love would be ripped to shreds like a photograph of lovers embracing on a secluded seashore, the cloud of a guilty conscience making salvation as impossible as sinking a hole-in-one on a 600-foot par five.”

I love the way this one builds with such elegantly tragic grace, its conclusion so stirring it’s brought me to tears on three different occasions now. The acting is universally amazing, Cruz and Homar sharing a delicate chemistry that blossoms beautifully as things progress towards the inevitable. All-in-all, I’m starting to think that Broken Embraces should have been my fourth Almodóvar entry in my list of my Top 50 Favorites of the past decade. At the very least, I should have placed it higher than number nine on my 2009 top ten, the melodrama another stunner for the director I’m hugely proud to be able to add to my Blu-ray library.

THE VIDEO

Broken Embraces is presented in 1080p 2.35:1 Widescreen and it looks pretty darn wonderful. I have no issues here, none whatsoever.

THE AUDIO

Available audio tracks include Spanish 5.1 DTS-HDMA and French 5.1 Dolby Digital with optional English, English SDH and French subtitles.

THE EXTRAS

Extras here include:

• “The Cannibalistic Councilor,” a short film by Pedro Almodóvar – The less I say on this one the better. All that should be known is that it’s a wonderfully engaging watch, and as a bonus feature it is the one on this disc I am positive to revisit again in the future.
• Deleted Scenes – Solid if unspectacular collection of deleted material, some of which is really solid but none of which should probably have been re-inserted into the film itself.
• Pedro Directs Penelope – Brief featurette showcasing Almodóvar as his directs his leading lady on the set of Broken Embraces.
• On the Red Carpet: The New York Film Festival Closing Night – Not exactly sure why this one is here but I’m sure some will find it interesting. Sadly, I am not one of those “some.” 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Broken Embraces is another Almodóvar near-masterpiece and as such for fans of the director is a Blu-ray that should be scooped up pretty much immediately.