4 Stars out of 4
Lately it seems like just about anyone is allowed to make a film — whether they are capable of it doesn’t seem to be important.
Fortunately, there are filmmakers who exist outside of Hollywood. One of them is Spanish director Pedro Almod¢var. Surprisingly, his newest film, “Hable con ella” which translates to “talk to her,” can be seen in the mainstream cinema right alongside the latest Bruce Willis flick.
Pedro Almod¢var is a sensitive filmmaker and “Hable con ella” is another Almod¢var work of art. This film involves the simple themes in love and relationships that are perfectly and essentially human.
It begins with the chance meeting of two men, Marco (Dar°o Grandinetti) and Benigno (Javier C†mara) sitting right next to each other in the audience at an incredibly emotional performance of CafÇ MÅller. They are destined to become great friends when Benigno glances at Marco who has lost himself so deeply in the performance that he’s crying.
Both men have a strong devotion to women who cannot be there for them. Benigno’s love interest is a gorgeous ballerina, Alicia, who is left in a coma when she is hit by a car. Marco is in a dysfunctional relationship with his ex-girlfriend who he can’t let go.
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All of this changes for Marco when he falls for this famous, but tormented woman, Lydia. She is a bullfighter — a rarity in an overwhelmingly chauvinistic sport. Her public salvation is, of course, another male bullfighter. This relationship gains her more popularity due to the media’s interest in their love affair.
Lydia finds herself in love with Marco and her bullfighter at the same time and because of this, she puts her life at the mercy of the bull during a fight, which leaves her comatose.
The sensual details of the film make it lovely and engaging. Almod¢var’s attention to creating a hospital environment full of warm colors makes this film even more alive, giving Alicia a presence despite her comatose state.
The innocence of Benigno’s pure love is rendered full of life, even as it begins to stale through the course of the story. These twists and turns of the plot flow in and out of the past and present, using intelligent and colorful collaging of scenes.
Almod¢var is right on target, as usual.
“Hable con ella” is a sincere and sensual portrait of the rationale behind acting on love and the capacity of the heart.
