With an appearance (literally, a single appearance) from Almodovar's two muses Antonio Banderas & Penelope Cruz at the start of the film, expectations are raised. These mainstream-celebrated actors returning to their Spanish roots and starring in a small (loosely termed), foreign film? Nope, they are simply used as an introduction to the aircraft failure which shapes the rest of the film. Although fans who will go and see this film solely based on Banderas and Cruz being advertised as central characters, I guarantee not one of them will leave without laughing at least a handful of times.
Almodovar stated in a recent interview that the reason he wanted to go back to his roots of pure comedy (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown being one of his first successful films) due to his fear of getting older. His explanation was that as he was getting older his films were getting darker, and dark films are the ones that win Oscars. After receiving two Oscars over the years, it only seems right for this colour-obsessed director to make a film similar to the one that catapulted him into peoples interests over 25 years ago. And boy, am I glad he did.
The film just works. I have always rated Almodovar as one of the most innovative directors of our time. His ability to set up certain situations astounds me. For example in this film, the eccentric and flamboyant cabin crew are making a cocktail to hand out to the passengers of the first class section of the plane whilst gossiping about passengers on board, a passenger (one of the ones just being talked about) passes them in order to go to the toilet, creating sexual tension between himself and the cabin crew. The crew complain that they have no drugs to spike the cocktail with (well, apart from cocaine and heroin.. every cabin crew members essentials in Almodovar's world), when the passenger, a long-time drug smuggler, pulls some mescaline out of his... you get my point. The factors all come together so concisely and seemingly effortlessly. What is technically an incredibly important plot point is so naturally worked into the film that it is not noted for its true credibility.
The whole audience were in stitches. A friend who I took with me had never seen an Almodovar film before and I honestly think he left with a new section in his brain. An extremely colourful section. I highly recommend this film. Not being a real fan of comedy myself, I was dubious about whether I was going to enjoy it as much as I have loved some of his other works such as The Skin I Live In, however whilst watching I forgot it was even the same director as that dark, compelling thriller.
Light-hearted comedy at its best. With hilarious characters who make a faulty aeroplane ride look like a fun day out.
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