“Broken Embraces” Movie Trailer Review

By our guest blogger, Mike Dolan

The trailer for Pedro Almodóvar’s upcoming “Broken Embraces” is relatively vague--and perhaps intentionally so.

“Broken Embraces” takes Almodóvar into familiar territory--a complex love story. It’s welcome territory, however, for fans of the Oscar-winning director, as it’s where he’s at his best.

Penelope Cruz makes what looks to be a Oscar-worthy bid for her third nomination, second for the Spanish director, in just four years. Cruz might also be the film's best hope of drawing a large audience in the United States. Hopefully, English-speaking audiences will look past the subtitles and more into the story.

From every angle, “Broken Embraces” has a feel to it that is stylish, and perhaps not unlike that of film noir. The complex plot, the inclusion of a femme fatale, and the dreary soundtrack all give it the feel of a 1950s American detective story. There is an air of mystery throughout the trailer, and it only adds to the aura of disguise Almodóvar looks to be going for.

With the stellar reviews and buzz coming out of Cannes, there is no reason to think that “Broken Embraces” will be anything but another fine showing from Almodóvar and Cruz. With the Spanish actress at the top of her game as of late, not to mention the consistency of her fellow Spaniard behind the camera, “Broken Embraces” has the look of another muy bueno film.

“Broken Embraces” opens in very limited release (Los Angeles) on December 11th, and is currently showing in New York.

View the trailer for "Broken Embraces" below. Thoughts?