Broken embraces = Los abrazos rotas

Author

Pedro Almodóvar

Call Number

• DVD FOREIGN (CEN, EAS)

Edition

Widescreen version.

Languages

In Spanish or dubbed French, with optional subtitles in English or French.

Performers

Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandiano, Tamar Novas.

Publication Information

Culver City, Calif. : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, [2010]

Physical Description

1 videodisc (127 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in.

Audience

MPAA rating: R; for sexual content, language and some drug material.

Summary

Mateo Blanco is a screenwriter and former director who changed his name to Harry Caine after losing his sight in an automobile accident. A past scandal suddenly resurfaces when the news arrives that the producer of one of Harry's old movies, a corrupt stockbroker named Ernesto Martel, has died. For mysterious reasons, this makes Harry's ex-production manager Judit nervous; then Ernesto's son, Ray X, turns up and asks Harry to help him write a vindictive script to get back at his vile father. The film subsequently flashes back to the early '90s, when Martel became involved with his secretary, Lena, but Mateo also began to develop feelings for her, and auditioned her for his movie. In response to Mateo's interest in Lena (and her burgeoning interest in him), the jealous Martel commissioned Ray to make a behind-the-scenes documentary as an excuse to spy on the director and star. This enabled him to watch Mateo spiriting off with Lena right under his nose, and set the stage for the wily producer's elaborate revenge against Mateo.

Notes

Originally produced as a motion picture in 2009.

Special features: deleted scenes; Pedro directs Penélope; Variety Q&A with Penélope Cruz; "The cannibalistic councillor" a short film by Pedro Almodóvar; On the red carpet: the New York film festival closing night.