while some have cited this film's lack of zaniness as a shortcoming, i on the other hand found that it made the film more enjoyable. favorite line: films have to be finished, even if you do it blindly.

Even when floundering a bit, no one produces films that are vividly alive like Almodóvar does. After zippy introductions, he gradually but noticeably stops infusing imagination into the story and starts falling back on rote characterizations, motivations, and developments. It looks great--thanks to the striking cinematography of Rodrigo Prieto--and Almodóvar is enlivened by the art of framing an image, but he lacks similar passion for seeing his story through in a satisfying fashion.

Almodóvar lost his nerve when he acquired expensive technique. Inspired by Buñuel and De Palma, he used to match them. Now, his once underground satires are just expensive tearjerkers.

1000!

Like Volver, this is a pretty straight (no pun intended) soap opera from Almodovar. But unlike Volver, Penelope Cruz's character and the story in general is not as interesting. There are certain questions that film presents in the beginning (how did Harry lose his sight? What's his relationship with his agent?), but the film doesn't make you want to know the answers to them and when you get the answers it's a let down.

Almadovar'in filmlerine asina olmasam da Broken Embraces, izledigim filmler arasinda ozel bir yer tuttu. Gercekci performanslar ve özellikle Cruz'un muhtesem bas döndürücülügü, filme tuz biber olmus. Konusu olmasa da olaylarin gelisimi, Almadovar'in anlatim teknikleri bir hayli orjinal. Uzun yillar sonra yeniden yazmaya baslayan kör bir sinemacinin hikayesini anlatan Almadovar, bir çok yerdeki diyalog sahnelerinde kesme kullanmayarak enteresan bir atmosfer olusturmus.

A mostly engaging and layered soap opera.

Nice Almodovar quality and always pleasant Penelope Cruz. Good drama, but not that big thriller.

"Los abrazos rotos" doesn't feature Almodóvar's most tightly conceived plot, but the gorgeous visuals, powerful performances and clever homages are enough to make this a highly entertaining guilty pleasure. Cruz shines once again, the colours are beautiful and, although the ending is surprisingly low-key and unsatisfying, it's a worthwhile endeavor overall.

This movie seems to get knocked around a bit as "lesser Almodovar" and I guess I can't disagree. Certainly it's familiar territory and doesn't bring anything new. But I really enjoyed it. Everything about it works... maybe not brilliantly, but it works. It's a solid melodrama with a twisty plot that comes into focus nicely and resolves gracefully. There are a few wonderful little touches like the use of voices over filmed images. The movie could use more humor, but the performances are engaging.

Washed out Almodovar, still very watchable, but probably not the best starting point in his filmography. The very ending gives us a neat self-reverential nod though.