Film Review: High Heels

The day a new film is unleashed from Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar is a day worth living. Well, High Heels is finally playing in town, and all I can say is, it’s about fucking time.

That being said, here’s my personal insight on the film, for never has a film or director been so in need of insight. Pedro is one of those directors who attracts a following because he has created a personal style; being the writer and director, he can do that. Those outside his clan might enjoy one or two of his efforts, but never catch his ultimate groove.

I don’t know how anyone will receive High Heels, because it’s a little different. Sure it retains finely crafted subtle, dark humor, but it’s even more veiled than usual. It also carries some deviant subtexts, but maybe they’re not as bizarre as they first seem. Ultimately, I think that Pedro has created a real life drama with something genuine to say—that all can appreciate.

Can he do that, you say? Of course he can; pretty well, too!

The story concerns a mother/daughter reunion and eventual bonding. Both are suspect in the murder of the daughter’s husband Manuel. In a complex and far-from-predictable fashion, Pedro reveals who killed whom and why. The premise does have dark intonations, but it really carries a dramatic touch, a result of the fine talent in the performance of Pedro’s latest fave Victoria Abril, and the equally well versed Marisa Paredes. They are really a joy to watch.

There still are wonderfully absurd twists, mostly found in the character Femme Lethal; is he a man, is he gay, is he Rebecca’s mother, is he Rebecca’s court investigator, or is he the father of the baby stirring in her belly? Yes, there is cohesion here, and you’ll gasp as it’s all revealed.

I’d say that Pedro is maturing and exploring, everything an established talent should do. If you see it and don’t enjoy it, watch it again, because I find that a lot of times it takes a second viewing to fully realize the value of an Almodovar film. If not, I hear another one of his earliest films has just been dug up and is hitting the streets. I’m sure that it will be guaranteed slapstick.

Check out more from the SLUG Archives:
Movie Review: The Doors
Movie and Video: Rubin and Ed