So I decided to finally tackle Almodóvar’s filmography head-on after my buddy Carlos kept ranting about “All About My Mother” at our weekly tapas night. Grabbed my notebook and dove straight into streaming last Tuesday.
Started chronological like any sane person would – fired up “Pepi, Luci, Bom” from 1980. Holy crap, that punk vibe slapped me in the face! Shaky camera work, outrageous wigs, people snorting coke off toilet seats… felt like getting hit by a psychedelic dump truck. Took three bathroom breaks just to process the insanity.
The Game-Changer Moment
Was about to quit after “Dark Habits” when “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” came on. Boom! That telephone scene with the gazpacho? Absolute genius. Finally understood why people call him the Spanish Shakespeare with better costumes. Binged till 3AM ignoring my work alarm.
- “Talk to Her”: That silent opening dance sequence wrecked me. Still thinking about the aquarium metaphor weeks later.
- “Volver”: Penélope Cruz in leopard print aprons slicing jamón? Yes please. Kitchen scenes alone deserve Oscars.
- “Pain and Glory”: Antonio Banderas ugly-crying in a bathtub? More emotional damage than my last breakup.
Total confession: I fast-forwarded through “Kika”. Sorry not sorry – that rape scene with the sunny sitcom music? Nope nope nope. My notebook literally says: “WTF Almodóvar???” in giant red letters.
Here’s the kicker though – wound up analyzing “All About My Mother” for two goddamn hours while my laundry moldered in the washer. That final organ donation scene? Had to call my mom crying at midnight. Carlos owes me therapy co-pays now.
Final verdict after 14 films? Dude’s either a mad genius or high on Toledo tap water. But those color palettes? Chef’s kiss. Next project: hunting down his pink vinyl jacket from the 80s. Ebay watchlist activated!
