Talk to Her

Director: Pedro Almodóvar Pedro Almodóvar

Overview

"Quite possibly Pedro Almodóvar's most mature work, Talk to Her is a wonderful film, with a DVD that hits almost all the right marks. What's missing with this release are more significant supplements. Other than the theatrical trailers for a mishmash of films, including All About My Mother, Punch-Drunk Love, Nine Queens, and a few others (but not one for this film), this disc has an audio commentary with Almodóvar and (occasionally) Geraldine Page. Though the commentary is in Spanish, subtitles are available, and while it's very good, these meager extras just don't add up to enough in the long run. Fortunately, the picture and sound make up for it. The image, framed at 2.35:1 and anamorphic, is simply beautiful. Colors are transferred perfectly with vivid blues and reds that aren't washed out at all. Detail is also very strong, creating a theatrical experience. The 5.1 Spanish Dolby Digital soundtrack (there is a 5.1 French track also) is generally centered up front, but appropriate moments reveal the surrounds and create just the right atmosphere. For the most part this is a fine release, and while missing some elements to make it an outstanding title, what is offered will surely please fans."

Product Details

Release Date:	05/27/2003
UPC:	0043396089167
Original Release:	2002
Rating:	R
Source:	Sony Pictures
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:54:00
Sales rank:	7,382

Special Features

Closed Caption;Pedro Almodóvar and Geraldine Chaplin commentary; Weblinks to movie website and official Pedro Almodóvar website; Digitally mastered audio & anamorphic video; Mastered in high definition; Widescreen presentation; Audio: Spanish 5.1 (Dolby Digital), French 5.1 (Dolby Digital); Subtitles: English, French; Bonus trailers; Interactive menus; Scene selections

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Leonor Watling	Alicia
Rosario Flores	Lydia Gonzalez
Geraldine Chaplin	Katerina Bilova
Mariola Fuentes	Rosa
Roberto Alvarez	Doctor
Loles Leon	Actor
Paz Vega	Amparo
Elena Anaya	Angela
Lola Duenas	Matilde
Ana Fernandez	Lydia's Sister,Prison Director
Chus Lampreave	Concierge
Loles León	TV Presenter
Beatriz Santiago	Nurse A
Pepe Sancho	Nino de Valencia's Agent
Angel Infantes	Lydia's Assistant
Caetano Veloso	Himself
Carlos García Cambero	Lydia's Sister's Husband
Jacques Morelenbaum	Musician
Jorge Helder	Musician
Pedro Sa	Musician
Mamen Segovia	Nurse B
Helio Pedregal	Alicia's Father
Adela Donamaria	Psychiatrist's Receptionist
Carmen Machi	Head Nurse
Agustin Almodovar	Priest
Sonia Grande	Alfredo's Mother
Joserra Cadinanos	Hospital Director
Ismael Martinez	Nurse
Lola Garcia	Hospital Receptionist,Public Official
Michel Ruben	Lawyer
Pina Bausch	Herself
Malou Airaudo	Herself
Darío Grandinetti	Marco Zuluaga
Fernando Iglesias	Swimmer
Ben Lindbergh	Ben
Fele Martínez	Alfredo
Ana Sanz	Dance Academy Employee Lawyer
Javier Cámara	Benigno Martin
Yuyi Beringola	Receptionist
Adolfo Fernández	Nino de Valencia
Carlos Miguel Miguel	Public Official
Victor Matos	Pianist
Javier Conde	Bullfighter
Marisa Paredes	Actor

Technical Credits

Pedro Almodovar

Pedro Almodovar	Screenwriter,Producer,Executive Producer
Antonio Lemos Al-matiz	Stunts
Sara Bilbatua	Casting
David Martin	Special Effects
Montse Ribe	Special Effects
Pedro Almodóvar	Director

Editorial Reviews

As a filmmaker who has built a career out of creating stellar roles for actresses, director Pedro Almodóvar has taken on some bold challenges for Talk to Her. A bizarre love story of a technically nonexistent relationship, it doesn't allow for easy spiritual redemption. Simple melodramatic terms are avoided when the central female characters are rendered unresponsive but ever-present. One of them, Lydia (Rosario Flores), is even positioned in horrifying bullfighting scenes that capture all the gruesome sadness and reality of the ultramasculine sport. When the would-be leading ladies drop out into comas, the two men are forced to deal with all the messy and troubling aspects of relationships -- or lack thereof. Acting as the film's anchor, the balding and muscular Marco (Dario Grandinetti) cries intermittently throughout the film, a small detail that seems almost revolutionary in this context. With a bravery and steadfast kindness, he forges a friendship with the deeply troubled Benigno (Javier Camara) whose mental illness leads the film into several dark places, including a wildly cinematic fantasy construction of sexual exploration. By contrast, the freshly lit scenes of tenderness with crisp white cotton garments belie the destructiveness Benigno is capable of. However disturbing the situation eventually becomes, these scenes speak volumes about the power of devotion as a motivator. Several side characters provide a background for the themes dealt with in the central narrative -- that of the power of faith to renew and transform. But like many human relationships, the result isn't clearly defined, leaving a confusing mess of conflicting emotions. Also, like the film's many well-staged modern dance sequences, the power lies in the constant interplay of reasoning between logic and belief. Ambiguity is one of the film's best assets, leaving the viewer with plenty of moral space for existential questioning.