Los abrazos rotos (2009)

 

 

Harry Caine, a blind writer, reaches this moment in time when he has to heal his wounds from 14 years back, when he was then still known by his real name, Mateo Blanco, and directing his last movie. Although the story is complex, offered in multiple time leaps and film-in-film sequences, it is less original, but more a homage to the director's love of cinema; as usual with Pedro Almodóvar the movie thrills with its exuberant visual quality and the ensemble's interplay.

Maltin***1/2: "Sinuous, mesmerizing story plays out in two time frames; along the way Pedro Almodóvar pays homage to Audrey Hepburn, Roberto Rossellini, and film noir. He also fashioned another perfect vehicle for Cruz's talent and beauty."