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Mike_V
Jul 31, 2004

3/18/2023: Day of the Dorks
Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Starring: Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez

I will not offer any plot summary because essentially any summary at all would reveal one of the twists, that's how tightly woven this story of sexual exploitation and fantasy creation is. García Bernal plays three interlocking characters and runs the gamut from transvestite to wrathful hustler. The acting was actually great all around and Ignacio's sexual ambiguity allows the viewer to forgive Almodóvar for failing to include a prominent female role.

It was interesting to see how the story would change from one point in the movie to the other and, ultimately, we only find out a few concrete facts about the true events that transpired. But perhaps this quasi-reality that is relayed to the audience by the characters is more entertaining (and truthful) than what actually happened. This is just one of the avenues Almodóvar explores in BAD EDUCATION. He also switches genres quite a bit, going from a seemingly coming-of-age drama to a comedic film within a film (brilliant self-reflexivity) finally to a neo-noir ending. The wild ride never takes the viewer out of the film, either, and just takes him/her along with it.

The score also reminded me of EYES WIDE SHUT at parts (you know, the orgy scene from Kubrick's last complete work) and it worked to bring out additional emotions that underlied the scenes.

PS: Don't see this if you are a homophobe.

RATING: 5

PROS: García Bernal's performance, plot twists, self-reflexivity
CONS: Convoluted

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0275491

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bastardlyDan
Oct 8, 2004

Classy Bastard
.

bastardlyDan fucked around with this message at 17:26 on Apr 9, 2013

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