Broken Embraces

 (2009)

Broken Embraces Blu-ray delivers stunning video and great audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
A man writes, lives and loves in darkness. Fourteen years before, he was in a brutal car crash on the island of Lanzarote. In the accident, he not only lost his sight, he also lost Lena, the love of his life. This man used two names: Harry Caine, a playful pseudonym with which he signs his literary works, stories and scripts, and Mateo Blanco, his real name, with which he lives and signed the films he directed. After the accident, Mateo Blanco reduces himself to his pseudonym, Harry Caine. If he can't direct films he can only survive with the idea that Mateo Blanco died on Lanzarote with his beloved Lena. In the present day, Harry Caine lives thanks to the scripts he writes and to the help he gets from his faithful former production manager, Judit García, and from Diego, her son, his secretary, typist and guide. Since he decided to live and tell stories, Harry is an active, attractive blind man who has developed all his other senses in order to enjoy life, on a basis of irony and self-induced amnesia. He has erased from his biography any trace of his first identity, Mateo Blanco. One night Diego has an accident and Harry takes care of him (his mother, Judit, is out of Madrid and they decide not to tell her anything so as not to alarm her). During the first nights of his convalescence, Diego asks him about the time when he answered to the name of Mateo Blanco, after a moment of astonishment Harry can't refuse and he tells Diego what happened fourteen years before with the idea of entertaining him, just as a father tells his little child a story so that he'll fall asleep. The story of Mateo, Lena, Judit and Ernesto Martel is a story of amour fou, dominated by fatality, jealously, the abuse of power, treachery and a guilt complex. A moving and terrible story, the most expressive image of which is the photo of two lovers embracing, torn into a thousand pieces.

For more about Broken Embraces and the Broken Embraces Blu-ray release, see the Broken Embraces Blu-ray Review published by Dr. Svet Atanasov on February 17, 2010 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.

Starring: Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Angela Molina
Director: Pedro Almodóvar

» See full cast & crew

Broken Embraces Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, February 17, 2010

Nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or award at last year's Cannes Film Festival, Pedro Almodovar's "Los abrazos rotos" a.k.a "Broken Embraces" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 20th Century Fox-UK. Amongst the supplemental features on the disc are: the short film "La concejala antropofaga"; a short segment showing Pedro Almodovar directing Matteo Blanco's film, with Penelope Cruz following his instructions; deleted scenes; and more. With imposed English subtitles. Region-B "locked."

Alone

His alias is Harry Caine (Lluís Homar, Bad Education). His real name is Mateo Blanco. He is a successful writer and a man with a passion for cinema. Years ago, he was a film director in love with a beautiful actress. He lost her and his eyesight, but gained a whole new perspective of life.

Lena (Penelope Cruz, Open Your Eyes) is a secretary in a well known company. Years ago, she was a call girl for a well known madam. She wants to be an actress, but lacks the courage to pursue her dream. And with her father just being diagnosed with stomach cancer, acting is the last thing on her mind.

Diego (Tamar Novas, The Sea Inside) is Mateo's typist. He loves Mateo's stories, passion for cinema and sense of humor. There are days when Diego fantasizes about writing a script with Mateo, and having a film based on it. Diego is also a DJ for a chic night club.

Judit Garica (Blanca Portillo, Volver) is Diego's mother. Years ago, she worked as a producer on Mateo's last film. She is still in the business, but isn't as active as she once was. Judit likes hearing from Diego about Mateo's latest work.

Ernesto Martel (Jose Luis Gomez, Pascual Duarte) is an aging businessman with a lot of money. He dreams of falling in love again - and being loved again. He has been with many beautiful women during the years, but they were never with him. If he could finally find the one that would love him for the person that he is, and not his fortune, he would die a happy man.

Ray X (Ruben Ochandiano, Broken Silence) is gay and blames his father, Ernesto, for ruining his life. There is nothing in the world that he desires more than seeing Ernesto's impressive reputation destroyed. It can be done, but it won't be easy. Ernesto is a powerful man, with powerful friends and plenty of very good lawyers. A great script for a film that would tell his story - and expose Ernesto's true identity - however, might do it. All Ray X needs is the right man to write it.

Part thriller, part drama, part comedy, Broken Embraces lacks the subversive overtones found in many of Pedro Almodavar's early films. This is more of a classic whodunit affair whose fascination with voyeurism would surely put a big smile on the faces of those who have a special place in their hearts for Michael Powell's Peeping Tom. Still, Broken Embraces is a typical Almodovar film - it is so colorful, once you are finished watching it, you would notice how everything around you has suddenly become incredibly pale, devoid of life.

The main characters are giant enigmas. They talk to us about their past, their triumphs and failures. We see their families, their lovers, what makes them happy and what makes them angry. We know when they are in pain. After awhile, we begin to trust them. Here, now we know why he did this. And this is why she did that. It all makes sense now. Right, obviously this is how the film is going to end. We've got it all figured out now.

Wrong.

Not only Almodvar does not give up the finale, but he also leaves so many questions unanswered, most of us would probably end up watching Broken Embraces again, just to make sure that this time around we got everything right.

Great lovers know that making love is not a performance; it is a profound form of communication. Great film directors understand that acting is the communication of ideas and emotions, and their films reflect that. This is why Almodovar's films are so fascinating to behold – they engage rather than isolate.

Broken Embraces Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with VC-1 and granted a 1080p transfer, Pedro Almodovar's Broken Embraces arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 20th Century Fox-UK.

This is a strong high-definition transfer -- fine object detail is very pleasing, clarity excellent and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. What impresses the most, however, is the color-scheme. Blues, greens, yellows, browns, blacks and especially reds look fantastic. While watching Broken Embraces, I kept thinking how incredible All About My Mother would look in 1080p.

Many of the outdoor scenes look warm and natural, and at the same time notably fresh. The indoor scenes are noise-free. Edge-enhancement and macroblocking are not a serious issue of concern. I did not spot any stability issues to report in this review either. Finally, the high-definition transfer is free of annoying specks, scratches, debris, or dirt. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Broken Embraces Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English Descriptive Audio 2.0. For the record, the English subtitles are imposed (and therefore can not be turned off). They also split the image frame and the black bar below it.

The Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track boasts some excellent surround effects - a lovely fading guitar solo, a gentle breeze, even Penelope Cruz's irregular breathing while making love to Ernesto in the summer villa add a very unique flavor to the film. On the other hand, the dialog is crisp, clear and very easy to follow. It is also well balanced with Alberto Iglesias' lovely music score. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review. To sum it all up, while dynamically the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is unlikely to test the muscles of your audio system, it should impress you with its clarity and depth.

Broken Embraces Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

La concejala antropofaga - "The Anthropophagous Councilor" is a short film about one of the colorful characters in Broken Embraces. I am not going to describe it for you. Prepare to laugh your socks off! In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles. (8 min).

Deleted Scenes - three deleted scenes. In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles. (4 min).

Directing girls and suitcases - a short segment showing Pedro Almodovar directing Matteo Blanco's film, with Penelope Cruz following his instructions. In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles. (6 min).

Trailer - the original UK theatrical trailer. In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles. (2 min).

Photo Gallery -

Broken Embraces Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

Most of Pedro Almodovar's early films, including All About My Mother and Live Flesh, are already out on Blu-ray in Spain. Let's hope that this is the year when Sony Pictures Classics bring them to Blu-ray in North America. The Viva Pedro boxset the studio released a couple of years ago would be incredible to have on Blu-ray. In the meantime, don't miss Broken Embraces. It looks gorgeous and sounds fantastic. Classic Almodovar! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.