DVD/150: KIKA (Pedro Almodóvar, 1993)

KIKA almost works but the combination of an unfocused storyline and uninvolving characters leaves it frustratingly adrift.

It feels like Verónica Forqué's Kika was supposed to be the focus but Almodóvar changed his mind to focus on a satirical take on reality television.

Kika is a Madrid make-up artist who loves photographer Ramón although she occasionally sleeps with his father, American writer Nicholas, who has a strained relationship with Ramón who suspects him of being involved in his mother's suicide.

Nicolas provides storylines to an exploitative reality show presented by Ramón's former lover, Andrea Scarface, When an escaped prisoner rapes Kika, footage of it is shown on Andrea's show but as Kika's life crumbles, Andrea realizes that Nicholas is not all he seems...

Forqué and Rossy de Palma shine but are swamped by the lacklustre performances of Victoria Abril as Scarface and miscast (and dubbed) Peter Coyote as Nicholas.

 

 

Shelf or charity shop? Will stay on the shelf as it's part of an Almodóvar box-set but not viewed much..  Gaultier's frocks are as outrageous as one might expect!

 

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...