High Heels (1991)

REVIEW
Almodóvar moves into new territory by looking a bit more closely at the human motives and desires he usually savages. The story revolves around a volatile estranged mother-daughter relationship; upon reuniting, they come to realize that they have been sharing the same man. Quicker than you can say Women on the Verge, the film fires head-first into a series of alternately hilarious and tragic situations. The luminous Abril plays the successful but emotionally bankrupt daughter Becky. Paredes gives a virtuoso Joan Crawford-style performance as Becky's domineering, cold but ultimately caring mother. Almodóvar's trademark visuals blend with tragic and comedic melodrama to wonderful effect; he continues to be one of the most original and inventive directors working today. (Spanish with English subtitles)