Broken Embraces [Los abrazos rotos] **** (2009, Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Tamar Novas) – Classic Movie Review 3580

Spanish writer-director Pedro Almodóvar‘s stylish 2009 17th feature film is a romantic thriller film starring Lluís Homar as blind screenwriter Harry Caine, who recalls his tragic love for Lena (Penélope Cruz), the deceased lead actress in his last film. Blanca Portillo co-stars as Caine’s agent Judit, while Tamar Novas portrays her adult son, Caine’s co-writer Diego. José Luis Gómez plays Ernesto Martel, the obsessive businessman who was also Lena’s lover.

Also in the cast are Lola Dueñas as Lectora de labios, Ángela Molina as Mrs Rivas, Rossy de Palma as Julieta, Rubén Ochandiano as Ray X / Ernesto Martel Jr, Chus Lampreave as Portera, Kiti Mánver as Madame Mylene, Mariola Fuentes as Edurne, Carmen Machi as Chon, Kira Miró as Modelo and Alejo Sauras as Álex.

Rodrigo Prieto’s smart-looking cinematography gives it a satisfying noir look but in bright primary colours.

Inspired by a photo of a couple that Almodóvar took of El Golfo beach in Lanzarote in the late Nineties, the film is an homage to filmmaking. It is Almodóvar’s fourth film with Penélope Cruz.

It competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at both the 2009 British Academy Film Awards and the 67th Golden Globe Awards. But it was not a winner. Broken Embraces turned out to be an in-with-a-chance also-ran.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3580

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