Almodovar Light

Author: graupepillard from NYC and Keyport, NJ
24 July 2013

The words surreal, strange, fantastical and bizarre have been associated with Pedro Almodovar's cinema along with longing, fragility, fluidity of gender, and the search for one's individual sexuality in a world filled with variations from the "norm." His 2011 movie THE SKIN I LIVE IN encompassed all those terms and I for one was deeply touched by that exceptionally idiosyncratic film. On the other hand, I'M SO EXCITED is Almodovar on his tiptoes – LIGHT and FROTHY. I do not deny that the movie made me laugh out loud, but it never made me ache with confusion and pain. It never touched me beneath the skin I live in.

The bouncy, brightly colored, whimsical, animated opening credits put a smile on the audiences' faces, setting the mood for the craziness that was to come. The movie bolts onto the screen with cameos by Airline workers, Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, two of the finest actors in Almodovar's repertory. But their cameos are basically a "schtick" - an eccentric bit - with no relation to the rest of the movie, except as a sign that we are about to be launched on a wild ride.

We meet the flight attendants and passengers of Peninsula 2549 – an Airline like no other - bound from Spain to Mexico, and discover early on that there is trouble with the plane's landing gear which puts everyone at dire risk as the plane circles round and round looking for a place to land. How the crew and passengers deal with the end-of-life/ tying-up-loose- ends business goes to the heart of this comic allegory. Life goes on in the midst of probable death so everyone - actually everyone who is not in Economy Class (they are drugged and asleep) - lets loose and are plied with drinks, drugs and engage in sex – a feast of debauchery including gay and straight sex, anonymous and public couplings. We are privy to personal histories, infidelities, lies and scandals – humanity with all its human failings flung out like baggage for all to see and hear.

Three of the Flight attendants who are all gay, function as a Greek Chorus – commenting on the action, and entertaining the travelers with a wonderfully kinky and freaky rendition of the Pointer Sisters song "I Am So Excited." These flamboyant stewards are the focus of the movie – their struggles with morality, philosophical musings, religion, and libidinal urges make for a tender, extravagant burlesque. There is also a Cassandra-like character – a predictor of future doom that nobody wants to hear, because the underlying truths make everyone uncomfortable.

I love that Pedro Almodovar works on films that are unpredictable. He experiments with all kinds of genres – some are secret and intimate and others are open and "cosmic". I admire that he does what he wants and each movie is a challenge. Immediately after the movie ended, I felt that this comedy was both hilarious and often too obviously "over the top." On further reflection, I realized that what I had perceived as superficiality was a strongly structured jab at our human vulnerabilities – delivered with jest and generosity – all the better to grasp and hold you.

Une scène gé-niale !!!

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his most bad boy film since "Dark Habits"

Author: marymorrissey from United States
21 July 2013

Sadly this film didn't last long in one of the premiere venues in town and this has no doubt to do with lukewarm reviews the result I fear of critics' uptightness and pretentiousness. Personally I'm thrilled that the movie was so light on the surface (less so upon reflection) and totally put pedal to the metal for outrrrrageousness. I haven't had such a good time at a comedy in many many moons.

And for what it's worth, while the caviar critic of one hugely prestigious newspaper in the US bemoans the fact that boring old Antonio Banderas had only a cameo, I was thrilled to see the back of him on account of there being a smorgasbord of hot hombres in just about every conceivable flavor - a notable garnish indeed to of the sustenance offered by "I'm So Excited!" (le titre amerloque)

Anyway I found it to be pretty much unassailable - perfect. I would even say that it's one of his best movies. Just because it's not as "deep" or cathartic as "All About My Mother" "Live Flesh" or "Law of Desire" doesn't mean it's flawed in any way. Thrilled that the man came out with something just like this at just this time to tell you the truth. And to the guy who writes something about "it sets back the portrayal of gays by 10 years" maybe you have a point and in this respect I am also delighted with the film!!

Au premier plan -un immense talent comique : Carlos Areces

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Almodovar at His Most Irreverent

Author: aharmas from United States
29 June 2013

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

For the last couple of decades, Almodovar has given us some very good movies, with plenty of heart and soul, never losing sight of what makes him a truly gifted director. There is something amazing about his visual composition, the way he communicates his themes to his audiences through his special connection with his actors. It is easy to forget that Almodovar started as a very innovative and rebellious film maker. His early films were full of scandalous and odd material. Soon, he refined his delivery, but he kept his originality, though a bit sedated.

All of that is out the window, as he takes us back on a time travel trip with his latest entry, a parody of those disaster films of the 70's when a bunch of personalities brought their own drama to season the "disaster drama".He turns everything upside down, and this time most of the emphasis is on the secondary characters as they keep stealing the show from the passengers, though it's hard to keep your eyes away from the magnificent Cecilia Roth, who plays the ultimate dominatrix madam and has the steely stare to prove it.

The usual themes are there, and with the help of a very naughty crew the dialogue is smart, clever, and raunchy. With a very special performance by the wonder Javier Camera (Joserra), a man who keeps telling himself and others that he can't tell a lie, we learn most of the characters' background. He's charming, loony, and gives one of the most colorful performances I have seen in an Almodovar movie. He's everybody's voice, without a filter, and this leads to some embarrassing moments for a few people on the plane.As you might have figured out, the plane is in trouble, and in true Almodovar fashion, everyone tries to bare their soul, find some relief, and enjoy themselves.

It's particularly hilarious to see these people indulge in a little "Agua de Valencia" with a special ingredient, which allows them, if you can imagine, become more uninhibited.Be prepared to enjoy the ride, see a bunch of Almodovar's familiar faces in cameos, check out one of the wackiest crews in history, and enjoy a wild musical number, the way they were before musicals killed them, in words of one of the crew. This is Almodovar return to his roots, without sacrificing his gorgeous palette, a superb score, and some fine acting. Check out the quiet moments and you know who is still in command.

Blanca Suárez : Ruth (je craaaque !!)

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Better than Expected

Author: legalearthangel
7 August 2013

The trailer does not look very promising. In fact the trailer looks cliché and kinda stupid. I went to see it because I'm familiar with Almodovar's other works. I love that most if not all of his movies have strong female characters. I also went because i'll just about anything with gay characters and I have not interest in seeing most of the crap that comes out during the summer.

I had to write a review after seeing all of the other bad reviews. This movie does not have some great underlining meaning and will not change your life. However, it is excellent for what it is: a comedy. That is not to say its completely void of any depth. No, once again Almodovar proves he is the man for character development.

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Intriguing Combination of Farce and Existentialism

Author: l_rawjalaurence from London
25 December 2013

At one level I'M SO EXCITED is very reminiscent of AIRPLANE! (1980) and AIRPLANE 2 (1982) in the way director Pedro Almodovar parodies the conventions and plots characteristic of disaster movies. The stereotypes are all there: the bisexual pilots, gay male cabin staff, compliant female staff, and a rogues' gallery of passengers including a Queen of S&M, a professional killer, a tycoon on the run after a financial scandal, and a young couple celebrating their honeymoon both physically and emotionally. Many of the jokes are crude as well as sexist; in this world gender roles are clearly (and it seems immutably) defined, with males reasserting their authority, both physical as well as sexual.

If they fail to achieve this, then drugs will help them achieve their ends. At another level, however, Almodovar asks us to reflect beyond the superficialities of the jokes and consider how we cope with any situation in which there appears to be no way out. Do we just accept it with stoical endeavor, or make light of it? In the case of the protagonists in I'M NO EXCITED, the latter option seems more appropriate - at least they will try to obtain momentary pleasure (even if it is only visceral pleasure) as they progress inexorably towards their doom.

Although the story ends happily, we should nonetheless use our experience of the film to reflect on our own behavior. Technically speaking, Almdovar's touch is as sure as ever as he crams a profusion of material into the film's short (90 minute) running-time, while ensuring that we never lose sight of any the characters involved.

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