Love Is Blind

Technically, the main character is a male. And a director. One left unable to see and heartbroken and sort of promiscuous. But, don't worry, Pedro Almodovar is known for nothing if not his female-centered stories, use of color and open homage and reference to classic styles and films and his...

By Merritt Martin

January 7, 2010

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Technically, the main character is a male. And a director. One left unable to see and heartbroken and sort of promiscuous. But, don't worry, Pedro Almodovar is known for nothing if not his female-centered stories, use of color and open homage and reference to classic styles and films and his past works. His latest, Broken Embraces (Los abrazos rotos), is no different, also providing another element key to recent Almodovar films: a set of twists and emotional booby traps. Which is a bit ironic in a way, but I'll let you figure that out--this movie-within-a-movie/flashback/rediscovery is a hat tip to noir you don't want spoiled by some writer telling you anything except Penelope Cruz gives what some are calling a beautifully subtle and haunting performance, and Blanca Portillo (another familiar face for Almodovarians) is devastating. Fans have posted that Broken Embraces may be their favorite of Cruz's films as well as those of the man who loves to direct her, but you can decide for yourself as The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth screens it as part of the Magnolia at the Modern series at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8.50, $6.50 for members. Visit themodern.org/magnolia.html.
Jan. 8-10, 2010

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Merritt Martin has written for the Dallas Observer for over two decades. She has also contributed to Eater, DMN and USA Today. In addition to arts and culture writing, she spends entirely too much time extolling the virtues of pears, black clothing, and her cat Kenneth.

Contact: Merritt Martin

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