If talking to her is all it took

Alicia's dance instructor in Talk to Her towards the end of the movie says something along the lines of "nothing is simple"; this sums up Pedro Almodovar's Talk to Her (2002). The film is an exercise in humanity by using the back drop of coma patients (entities that are alive, but can't experience the human condition, but by the grace of God may again one day join civilization). 

I have never been a huge Almodovar fan in that I would run out and see his next film the moment it is released, but do have an appreciation for his artistry. Talk to Her is my favorite of his films, it is disturbing yet not judgmental (which may have some viewers upset).  I am not going to profess to understand the ultimate message of the film, or if it even has one, but it indeed leaves an impression and makes you contemplate the true depths of friendship and love. 

I am realizing as I am writing this review that I am writing in very broad terms, and can't seem to pin down any concrete aspects to comment on about this film. That is partly because this film deals in broad strokes and partly because I had a bit of difficulty relating to the individual characters. I feel like the characters served the thematic elements well, but were either too complex to always grasp there motives or are used as a simple devices. I am sure it is the foremost option.

There are some great performances, especially by the male leads played by Javier Camara as Benigno, and Dario Grandinetti as Marco, both men in love with women and the art that has inspired these women, and in turn inspired them. Neither woman can respond to these men anymore, and with that similarity the two men develop an unusual friendship, which had me at points asking out loud why Marco was so close to Benigno. Why did he still want to associate with him? 

There is much to be said about Almodovar's camera work and use of color. He never creates a dull, dreary or disparaging world, his colors pop and his frames are perfectly balanced. This workmanship leads to the feeling that no matter the troubles of the characters, hope is always present in the world. 

Talk to Her can be weird, disgusting, beautiful, enraging, you could love it, you could hate it, but just don't call it simple (and certainly don't try and pigeon hold it in one review).

***