Talk to Her [Hable Con Ella] **** (2002, Rosario Flores, Javier Cámara, Darío Grandinetti, Leonor Watling, Geraldine Chaplin, Paz Vega) – Classic Movie Review 826

Spanish writer-director Pedro Almodóvar’s 2002 film Talk to Her [Hable Con Ella] is one of his very best and cleverest movies. It won him the Best Original Screenplay Oscar and Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes, along with Baftas in both categories.

Darío Grandinetti stars as the unlucky-in-love journalist Marco, who falls for female bullfighter Lydia (Rosario Flores), but tragedy strikes when the object of his affections is horrifically injured in the ring and left in a coma. Meanwhile, Benigno (Javier Cámara) is obsessively caring for Alicia (Leonor Watling), who is also in a coma.

This satisfyingly weird and witty comedy drama, with an inspired performance by Cámara, is one of Almodôvar’s richest and most rewarding films. Geraldine Chaplin and Paz Vega also star.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Film Review 826 derekwinnert.com