Sunday, February 25, 2018

DVD/150: QUE HE HECHO YO PARA MERECER ESTO!! (What Have I Done To Deserve This!!) (Pedro Almodóvar, 1984)

Almodóvar's previous scattergun approach is still evident - a telekinetic child! - but here he discovered a more consistent tone.


Overworked cleaner Gloria struggles with money and living in a cramped Madrid flat with her controlling husband Antonio, eccentric mother-in-law and two sons: one a teenage pusher, one a pedo-magnet.


Gloria's solace are painkillers and her friendly prostitute neighbour Cristal.  Cabbie Antonio picks up an author and reveals he faked letters from Hitler for a book a girlfriend wrote, which provokes the writer to contact her to persuade Antonio to do the same for him.


Her call provokes an argument and after Antonio hits her, Gloria retaliates with a hambone to his head... now Gloria has to cope with a dead husband in her kitchen!


Carmen Maura is magnificent as Gloria with fine performances throughout, especially Chus Lampreave as her mother-in-law and Verónica Forqué as bubbly Cristal.


Shelf or charity shop?  A definite keeper... 

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