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      Broken Embraces

      2009, Drama/Mystery & thriller, 2h 8m

      157 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Pedro Almodovar's fourth film with Penélope Cruz isn't his finest work, but he brings his signature visual brilliance to this noirish tale, and the cast turns in some first-class performances. Read critic reviews

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      Movie Info

      The death of Ernesto Martel (José Luis Gómez) sets off a chain of events that forces one man to come to terms with his past. Before he went blind, Harry Caine was Mateo Blanco (Lluís Homar), a film director who often worked with Ernesto. Ten years ago, Ernesto and Mateo's friendship became a battle for Lena (Penélope Cruz), Ernesto's mistress and Mateo's secret object of affection. When the former recruits his son (Rubén Ochandiano) to spy on the latter, things quickly spiral out of control.

      • Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language|Some Drug Material)

      • Genre: Drama, Mystery & thriller

      • Original Language: Spanish (Spain)

      • Director: Pedro Almodóvar

      • Producer: Esther García

      • Writer: Pedro Almodóvar

      • Release Date (Theaters):  limited

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

      • Production Co: El Deseo S.A.

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      News & Interviews for Broken Embraces

      Critic Reviews for Broken Embraces

      Audience Reviews for Broken Embraces

      • Apr 15, 2013

        A romantic thriller of sorts, and a great one at that, Broken Embraces is full of excitement, romance, and a whole lot of melodrama. It tells the story (within a story) of Mateo Blanco, a director who fell in love with a married actress, but the actress's old and jealous husband was all too displeased with her affair. Mateo ended up losing his lover and his eyesight, and now must recount the whole story to his young friend whilst unraveling the mysteries of his past in the process. Both Penélope Cruz and Lluis Homar are great as the two co-stars and, despite the movie's intentionally soapy storyline, their performances infuse it with an emotional and personal touch. Oddly enough I enjoyed this much more than Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar's previous film Volver, which was more critically-acclaimed but didn't really hold my interest as tightly as Broken Embraces did. Nonetheless, Broken Embraces is a very enjoyable and consistently entertaining movie that is as exciting as it is accessible, and makes for another very good movie from Almodóvar.

        Super Reviewer
      • Sep 16, 2012

        The only other Almodovar movie I've seen is "All About my Mother". While I enjoyed that one I would pick this one over it any day. This film had wonderful story telling. It put humor into dark areas, it was chilling and disturbing at the same time. Almodovar let you figure out the twists on your own, without making it to out there and obvious. And yes there were a lot of twists. Penelope Cruz was great, and Almodovars use of colors made this a beautiful and a never boring experience.

        Super Reviewer
      • Aug 21, 2012

        Slow to start, but a powerful finish. Incredible storytelling, subtle direction, and absorbing acting, easy choice if you're in the mood for Artistic+Foreign. Looking forward to watching Volver...

        Super Reviewer
      • Apr 06, 2012

        Standard fare for Almodovar. And I dont mean that in a negative way. This man coasting is still leaps and bounds more fascinating than the pet projects of many directors. It is hyper-sexual, highly-stylized, and has melodrama oozing out of every pore. The production is regal and elegant, with brilliant colors bursting on screen while characters do their best to control the mess that their elicit passions have made. While it may not carry the same weight as Talk to Her or All About My Mother, it is an entertaining story told richly by one of the world's premiere filmmakers.

        Super Reviewer

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