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:

$46,949,533

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

Agustín Almodóvar: Pedro Almodóvar's brother, and the film's producer, appears as an employee of Ernesto Martel, in the scene where Lena returns from hospital. Agustín has cameos in 15 of the 17 films which Pedro Almodóvar has directed.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, during Matteo remakes the video, we see two chairs in old video record which are made by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola for Italian furniture brand Moroso (Antibodi chaise lounge - produced in 2006). While Lena was going to open the door for red dress woman there behind we can see each of them. And also outside in the terrace we can see another chair designed by P. Urquiola for Moroso (Tropicalia chair - produced in 2009). But from 1990 to 1996 P. Urquiola was the assistant professor to Achille Castiglioni and Eugenio Bettinelli at the Politecnico Di Milano and ENSCI in Paris.

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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

Features Journey to Italy (1954)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Another great Almodovar film.

This is a very complex thriller, but also very rewarding. This is director Pedro Almodovar's film with the broadest spectrum. There are numerous plot's and subplots and it all seems a bit confusing, but once again, Almodovar brilliantly pulls it all together by the films end. Penelope Cruz is radiantly beautiful and gives her usual excellent performance. Lluis Homar, Blanca Portillo and Jose Luis Gomez give superb performances. Almodovar is so amazingly visual, and there are several unforgettable images in Broken Embraces. The characters develop so incredibly well and the blending of all the stories is so striking to watch. Superbly done.