havanadany

Okay, the last time I had to cringe through a Russian roulette scene occurred in "The Deer Hunter." Remember Walken? Remember there being a valid (sort of) reason for his playing the game? In this short, the housewives play Russian roulette because they're bored. As strange as this sounds, there is a realism to it I cannot explain. They play the game as they go about the regular conversational circles of a group of Spanish housewives (I know this personally, being a product of Spanish upbringing). Mirta Ibarra stands out in particular as the only clue explaining motivations behind their playing the crazy game: the 3 for 2 sales in the supermarkets as a metaphor for how women are duped. Though Ibarra rants her way through this in characteristic manner (did you see "Hasta Cierto Punto"? ot how about "Guantanamera"? or "Fresa y Chocolate" all by her late hubby Gutierrez Alea). Find this movie (it's a freebie on a few internet movie websites) and watch it. It will remain in the mind a long time after the 20 minutes are up.

Almodovar's films have evolved quite nicely within the confines of certain persistent themes: sex, death, women. He's rather well known for exercising these themes withing a strangely plausible completely implausible plot (she married the paraplegic basketball star policeman a "lover" of hers accidentally shot). Of the Almodovar films I've seen, he applies his themes in the most humorous, but not lighthearted way imaginable, so that the viewer is aware that he is watching something totally ridiculous, but seems inclined to want to believe it. That's how I see it anyway. Props to Fransesca Neri for her superb acting. The other actors do well, but she shone in that special "chosen" way Alomodovar gets his lead actresses to shine. Now GO WATCH "All About My Mother!"

I've watched this movie less as a coherent whole and more as an interrupted series of brilliant little moments. There is the scene where Catherine Deneuve is riding in the car explaining the philosophical nature of money. It didn't belong, but it was a very nice scene. There is the scene where Daniel Auteuil and Laurence Cote chat over his breakfast in a hotel and he sees her laugh for the first time. Nicely set up. Then there is the scene where Deneuve and Auteuil go to the Opera. The plot is muddled, but the actors provide fascinating little moments. Props to Techine for incredible direction with attention to character insight.