DVD/150: MATADOR (Pedro Almodóvar, 1986)

Diego is a former matador who runs a bullfighter academy; one of his pupils is insecure Ángel, who sees visions and faints if he sees blood.  Dominated by his pious mother, he attempts to rape Eva, a neighbour who is also Diego's lover. 

Ángel confesses to the police but the detective is intrigued when he confesses to unsolved murders of naked men stabbed in the neck, as well as two missing female pupils from Diego's school.  Lawyer Maria takes up Ángel's defence - but in Hichcockian fashion, we know she is the murderer, and she wants Diego... who is also obsessed with deadly sex.

Almodóvar's film glows with colour even as the mood darkens, Nacho Martinez and Assumpta Serna are a memorable deadly couple while Antonio Banderas shines as Ángel; excellent support from Eusebio Poncela and Pedro alumni Carmen Maura, Chus Lampreave, Julieta Serrano, Veronica Forqué and trans actress Bibi Andersen.

Shelf or charity shop?  Apart from everything else, it's worth keeping for the Assumpta Serna's 80s power-dressing  wardrobe.. Shelf!!