Broken Embraces (2009)

Harry Caine, a blind writer, reaches this moment in time when he has to heal his wounds from 14 years back. He was then still known by his real name, Mateo Blanco, and directing his last movie.

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writer:

Pedro Almodóvar

Stars:

Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 44 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Penélope Cruz	...	Lena
Lluís Homar	...	Mateo Blanco / Harry Caine
Blanca Portillo	...	Judit García
José Luis Gómez	...	Ernesto Martel
Rubén Ochandiano	...	Ray X
Tamar Novas	...	Diego
Ángela Molina	...	Madre de Lena
Chus Lampreave	...	Portera
Kiti Mánver	...	Madame Mylene
Lola Dueñas	...	Lectora de labios
Mariola Fuentes	...	Edurne
Carmen Machi	...	Chon
Kira Miró	...	Modelo
Rossy de Palma	...	Julieta
Alejo Sauras	...	Álex

Storyline

Passion, obsession, wealth, jealousy, family, guilt, and creativity. In Madrid, Harry Caine is a blind screenwriter, assisted by Judit and her son Diego. The past comes rushing in when Harry learns of the death of Ernesto Martel, a wealthy businessman, and Ernesto's son pays Harry a visit. In a series of flashbacks to the 1990s, we see Harry, who was then Mateo Blanco, a director; he falls in love with Ernesto's mistress, Lena, and casts her in a film, which Ernesto finances. Ernesto is jealous and obsessive, sending his son to film the making of the movie, to follow Lena and Mateo, and to give him the daily footage. Judit doesn't like Lena. It's a collision course.

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Plot Keywords:

obsession | writer | screenwriter | jealousy | voyeur | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Spain] Official site [France]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

15 January 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broken Hugs

Filming Locations:

Arucas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$107,111, 22 November 2009

Gross USA:

$5,014,305

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,991,660

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures International (UPI), Canal+ España, El Deseo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film was a deliberate reunion by Pedro Almodóvar with a lot of actresses who have worked with him over years. Not only Penélope Cruz and Blanca Portillo, but small parts for Ángela Molina, Chus Lampreave, Lola Dueñas, Carmen Machi, Rossy de Palma and Kiti Mánver.

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Goofs

When the movie goes back to 1992, Ernesto Martel speaks from his office about getting a contract to build Caracas' Metro. This Metro was built more than 10 years earlier than that.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[in Spanish, quoting English subtitles]
Modelo: What's your name?
Mateo Blanco: Harry Caine.
[voiceover]
Mateo Blanco: I used to be called Mateo and I was a film director. I was always tempted by the idea of being someone else, as well as myself. Living one's life wasn't enough, so I invented a pseudonym, Harry Caine, an adventurer who, as fate would have it, became a writer. I had him sign all the scripts and stories I wrote. For years, Mateo Blanco and Harry Caine shared the same body, mine. But a moment came when ...

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Connections

References Fanny and Alexander (1982)

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Soundtracks

Robot Oeuf
Written by Uffie and Feadz
Performed by Uffie
Courtesy of Ed Banger Records

User Reviews

Wonderful film

A wonderful film. One of Almodovar's finest, and probably the most accomplished work by Penelope Cruz, whose subtle performance as Lena is a real achievement. I was lucky enough to enjoy the film in a press preview, and simply adored it. The script is extremely complex, though this fact does not result in making the story difficult to follow. All characters are perfectly defined and handled by Almodóvar, in his rich, flamboyant style. I liked this film even more than Almodovar's previous "Volver". I found this more powerful, both visually and emotionally. The music score by Alberto Iglesias is simply alluring. Cinematography by Mexican Rodrigo Prieto is also very good. But the beauty of the film is basically due to the enormous talent of Señor Almodóvar. Thanks, Pedro!