Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom
Dir: Pedro Almodóvar
1980
***
Pedro Almodovar started his career as the Spanish equivalent of John Waters, maybe a little less tacky but still fairly trashy and lewd. It was the late 70's early 80's though and Punk Rock was rife. Essentially, that is what his first few films are, punk comedy films. Bending the rules of social acceptance but also showing the rules up for the ridiculous ideals that they are. I wouldn't say delicate subjects are taken lightly but you do need to remind yourself that this is a satire or you well may be offended. Personally, I prefer his later films but the early work is very likable all the same. It's certainly very funny, the policeman's twin getting beaten up was hilarious and the gorgeous Carmen Maura, Alaska and Eva Siva are utterly irresistible. The birth of a new direction in Spanish cinema and the first film of one of the movies' true geniuses.