Talk to Her Film Poster
Pedro Almodóvar’s Talk to Her (2002)
Pedro Almodóvar’s Talk to Her (2002) tells a unique story about the friendship between two men and their love for two women who are both in a coma. Almodóvar explores a range of themes related to the human condition, including loneliness, loss and the boundary between life and death.
The narrative, which shifts forwards and backwards in time, is effortlessly accomplished. Marco and Benigno first meet at a private clinic and go on to form an unlikely companionship. Benigno is a personal nurse for Alicia Roncero, a comatose dance student, whilst Marco is visiting his bullfighter girlfriend Lydia, who was gored in the ring. Benigno talks to Alicia constantly, believing that in some way she can hear him. Marco, on the other hand, is unable to talk to Lydia as he struggles to relate to her condition. Instead, Marco and Benigno confide in each other, cultivating an intelligent and emotional friendship.
Talk to Her combines elements of silent filmmaking and visual art. Almodóvar has clearly taken inspiration from Old Hollywood directors, like Andy Warhol and Luis Bunuel, who championed stylistic, underground cinema. Almodóvar’s film is a marvellous pastiche with a transgressive style, ultimately presenting an autonomous point of view that makes us question our own social values.
The narrative, which shifts forwards and backwards in time, is effortlessly accomplished. Marco and Benigno first meet at a private clinic and go on to form an unlikely companionship. Benigno is a personal nurse for Alicia Roncero, a comatose dance student, whilst Marco is visiting his bullfighter girlfriend Lydia, who was gored in the ring. Benigno talks to Alicia constantly, believing that in some way she can hear him. Marco, on the other hand, is unable to talk to Lydia as he struggles to relate to her condition. Instead, Marco and Benigno confide in each other, cultivating an intelligent and emotional friendship.
Talk to Her combines elements of silent filmmaking and visual art. Almodóvar has clearly taken inspiration from Old Hollywood directors, like Andy Warhol and Luis Bunuel, who championed stylistic, underground cinema. Almodóvar’s film is a marvellous pastiche with a transgressive style, ultimately presenting an autonomous point of view that makes us question our own social values.