Hable con ella (2002)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writer:

Pedro Almodóvar (writer)

Release Date:

15 March 2002 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two men share an odd friendship while they care for their girlfriends who are both in deep comas.

Plot Keywords:

Coma | Nurse | Theater | Ballet | Hospital

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 32 wins & 28 nominations

Cast

Javier Cámara	...	Benigno Martín
Darío Grandinetti	...	Marco Zuluaga
Leonor Watling	...	Alicia
Rosario Flores	...	Lydia González
Mariola Fuentes	...	Rosa
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Katerina Bilova
Pina Bausch	...	Bailarina 'Café Müller'
Malou Airaudo	...	Bailarine 'Café Müller' (Dancer)
Caetano Veloso	...	Singer at party - "Cucurrucucú Paloma"
Roberto Álvarez	...	Doctor
Elena Anaya	...	Ángela
Lola Dueñas	...	Matilde
Adolfo Fernández	...	Niño de Valencia
Ana Fernández	...	Hermana de Lydia
Chus Lampreave	...	Portera

Also Known As:

Talk to Her (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for nudity, sexual content and some language.

Runtime:

112 min | Turkey:104 min (TV version)

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Italy:T | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Austria:16 (Steiermark) | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Iceland:L | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Aranjuez, Madrid, Spain

Company:

El Deseo S.A.

Trivia:

Cameo: [Agustín Almodóvar]the priest conducting the wedding is the producer of the film (and the director's brother).

Quotes:

[last lines]
Katerina Bilova: Nothing is simple. I'm a ballet mistress, and nothing is simple.

Movie Connections:

References Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988)

Soundtrack:

Study Waltz

Perhaps Almodovar's greatest work

There are many who say that "Todo Sobre Mi Madre" is his best film, but now that I've seen both these movies, I give the nod - by a long way - to "Hable con Ella". This is a masterpiece, and not just because of the poignancy of the characters, or the story in general, or the way the scenes are shot - watching the matador get dressed was quite engrossing - but EVERYTHING comes together so wonderfully. The brilliance of Spanish-language films never fails to amaze me, and this is another one in that long line of greatness. There will be times where the viewer may feel somewhat uncomfortable with the characters and their actions, but that does not stop Almodovar from exploring such emotions; indeed, one sometimes gets the impression that Almodovar's entire purpose is to make you analyze your own feelings - and simply does it better than anyone else. Recommended for anyone who can read subtitles.