HTF BLU-RAY REVIEW: Broken Embraces

Broken Embraces

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Year: 2009

Rated: R

Program Length: 127 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 1080p

Languages: Spanish 5.1 DTS-HDMA; French 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English, English SDH,  French

The Program

Penélope Cruz received a 2009 Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in Nine, but more than a few film critics felt that she was more deserving of a nomination for her scintillating acting in Pedro Almodóvar’s Broken Embraces. Almodóvar’s film is set in Madrid, where we are introduced to Mateo Blanco (Lluis Homar), a once-successful film director and author who, after losing his eyesight, chose to become known only by his writing pseudonym, Harry Caine. He is assisted by his longtime agent, Judit (Blanca Portillo), and her son, Diego (Tamar Novas). One day Harry and Diego are visited by a mysterious young man known to them only as “Ray X” (Rubén Ochandiano). Ray has an idea for a screenplay which he wants Harry to write. Harry, of course, cannot see Ray, but he is certain that he recognizes Ray’s voice. After Ray leaves, Harry asks Diego to go through some old photographs. Diego finds an old picture of Ray, and when he describes the photo to Harry the writer realizes that Ray is actually the son of Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez), a wealthy industrialist who has just died.

Harry and Martel have a history. Fifteen years earlier Harry, who directed films under his real name, was casting for a new comedy film project. One day he was visited by Lena (Penélope Cruz), a beautiful young woman who was hoping for an acting career. She also happened to be the mistress of Ernesto Martel. The back story is that Lena had been Martel’s secretary, and she desperately needed help when her father was diagnosed with stomach cancer and could not afford the medical treatment he needed. Martel, who was much older than Lena, offered to help, but he wanted (and got) something from Lena in return. Martel provided her with a lavish lifestyle, but she was not being true to herself. When Lena was offered a role in the film, Martel went along with it but insisted on being the producer and financing the project. He then convinced the director to allow his son to film a “making of” documentary of the production. Soon the lives of the three principals – Lena, Martel, and Mateo – began to go through inexorable changes.

The film unfolds like a mystery, as the present day Mateo and Judit gradually and reluctantly open up to Diego about the events which occurred during the filming fifteen years earlier. The flashbacks to 1994 include extensive “film within a film” footage. There are numerous questions to be resolved. How did Mateo lose his sight? Why does he insist on being called Harry Caine? Why has “Ray X” come back into his life, and what does he really want? What happened to Lena? Penélope Cruz in effect plays three roles – the real Lena, the Lena who became Martel’s mistress in order to save her father, and the character Lena plays in Mateo’s film. The role calls for her to display deep emotion, a light comic touch, and the intensity of a passionate, sexual lover (and yes, there is some nudity). José Luis Gómez is excellent as Martel, who manages to be somewhat sympathetic because of his obsession with a woman half his age, yet capable of some truly reprehensible behavior. Lluis Homar is thoroughly engaging as Mateo/Harry, a man who has managed to maintain his humanity even after experiencing some devastating setbacks.

Special notice goes to Carmen Machi, who plays the role of Chon, a character in Mateo’s comedy. Chon is a member of the Madrid city council, and she is totally obsessed by sex, drugs and men’s toes. Her performance is very, very funny.

Pedro Almodóvar is one of the most original and interesting filmmakers in the business, and Broken Embraces follows in the tradition of such daring and challenging films as Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, All About My Mother, Bad Education and others. Penélope Cruz has made several films with Almodóvar, and they work together like a perfectly-fitting pair of gloves. Broken Embraces is intriguing, passionate and thought-provoking, and it is highly recommended.

The Video

This is a terrific 2.35:1 1080p Blu-ray transfer. Almodóvar uses intense, bright primary colors, and they are beautifully rendered. The image is consistently sharp and is a pleasure to view. The presentation is properly framed, it displays a minimal but appropriate level of film grain, and the overall appearance is satisfyingly film-like. Most of the scenes take place indoors, and the lighting is excellent and every essential detail is clearly visible. Outdoor scenes at the seaside in Spain are exquisite. I saw no evidence of digital artifacts, excessive DNR, edge enhancement or other anomalies. This is simply another first-class Blu-ray transfer from Sony.

The English subtitles are white, easy to read, and appear mostly under the picture. When they do appear over part of the image they never obscure anything of significance.

The Audio

The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack is excellent. There is nothing here which will blow you away, although the evocative musical soundtrack is given a pleasing and expansive soundstage. The surround channels are used primarily to effectively produce ambient sounds. For those who understand Spanish the subtitles can be turned off, and the dialog is clearly rendered. There is no English-dubbed soundtrack, which may put off viewers who dislike having to read subtitles.

The Supplements

There are a number of entertaining and informative extras on this Blu-ray disc.

“The Cannibalistic Councillor” is a hilarious short film featuring Carmen Machi in the same comic role which she plays in Mateo’s film. The short film, which has a running time of a bit less than eight minutes, is letterboxed in standard definition. Viewers should be warned in advance that it involves cocaine use and graphic, kinky language.

Three deleted scenes include one in which Mateo/Harry takes Judit and Diego to a restaurant which serves dinner in total darkness. Originally designed to cater to blind people, such restaurants became trendy on the theory that the inability to see enhanced the sensations of smell and taste.

“Pedro Directs Penélope” is a fascinating look at the interaction between directory and star during a rehearsal. As Cruz performs her lines, Almodóvar prompts her with suggestions about what she should be thinking about, thereby encouraging her to express differing reactions and emotions as she converses with Carmen Machi.

“On the Red Carpet: The New York Film Festival Closing Night” contains comments from Almodóvar, Cruz and the director of the festival.

Also included is an interview of Penélope Cruz by Todd McCarthy of Variety. She comes across as a very self-effacing actor. Although she is now fluent in English, she reveals that when she got her first role in an American film the only English she knew consisted of her dialog from the script.

Finally, the Blu-ray disc includes the original theatrical trailer, as well as previews of the films An Education, Coco Before Chanel, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Volver, Rachel Getting Married, Frozen River, Adoration, The Damned United, and the television series Breaking Bad.

The Packaging

The single disc comes in a standard Blu-ray keep case.

The Final Analysis

Broken Embraces is beyond question a Pedro Almodóvar film, at times sexy, funny, shocking, tragic and disturbing, but also original, involving, thought-provoking and full of surprises. Best of all, it shows off Penélope Cruz at her finest, both in terms of her captivating beauty and her superb acting. If you have not seen her work before, Broken Embraces will leave you wanting to seek out every film she has made.

Equipment used for this review:

Panasonic DMP-BD50 Blu-ray player

Panasonic Viera TC-P46G15 Plasma display, calibrated to THX specification by Gregg Loewen

Yamaha HTR-5890 THX Surround Receiver

BIC Acoustech speakers

Interconnects: Monster Cable

Release Date: Available Now (released March 16, 2010)