Thoroughly Embraceable Penélope

Pedro Almodóvar is one of the world's most prolific and distinct directors and has been for many years. When you watch a film by Almodóvar, you are always struck at how professional it looks. His films have a very distinct appearance and the use of bright color is one of his favorite tactics. "Broken Embraces" is a marvelous-looking production, but it falls short otherwise. There is a shallowness here that betrays the show. One can't help but feel that the director has not put forth his best effort.

Almodóvar usually relies upon multiple layers of story structure and nuanced performances, but here he relies mostly on the feminine charms of his oft-employed star, Penélope Cruz, who has never looked better. Then again, she never looks worse either. The camera spends so much time staring at Cruz's ample physical abilities that the story is almost pushed to the background. Mind you, I'm not complaining; I'm just telling you what I witnessed.

Yes, there is a plot. It concerns a blind screenwriter named Harry Caine (Lluís Homar) who looks back on his affair with Lena (Cruz), the present-day mistress of filthy-rich businessman Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez). In order to unveil all of the past, he employs his manager Jutid (Blanca Portillo) and her son Diego (Tamar Novas). Through a series of flashbacks the mystery of what has brought the characters into the present is revealed. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it is all overshadowed by the camera's constant devouring of Ms. Cruz.

"Broken Embraces" is eye candy. And it is exceedingly pleasing eye candy, so if that is enough for you then by all means run to see it. In my opinion you would be better off renting Almodóvar's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" for your cinematic needs, and a skin flick for, um, well, you know.