Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Dir: Pedro Almodóvar
1988
*****
Women on the verge of a mental breakdown is an absurd and farcical comedy of errors done in a way that only Pedro Almodóvar could conjure. As is many the theme in Almodovar's films, it is celebration of womanhood that features a strong and colourful array of Spain's finest actresses, all familiar in the director's films. Carmen Maura is brilliant at conveying strength and weaknesses in her character, she really is the glue in this topsy turvey mad-cap comedy but is supported strongly by the accompanying cast. I loved the whole film but the last 15 minutes are absolute dynamite. This is the first film that Almodóvar shied away from the somewhat trashier themes he's famous for but it's lost none of the comedy you'd expect from one of his productions. It's certainly one of his greatest films, if not the best overall it certainly has the sharpest scripts of the lot.