Bad Education (DVD)

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Great story, Brilliant acting  -  another classic from Almodovar
Disadvantages:	None worth mentioning

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Bad Education (or La Mala Educación) is the latest film (released 2004) from the great Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. Anyone who has an interest in Spanish cinema will know Almodóvar as the director of such excellent films as “Talk to Her” and “All About My Mother”. Bad Education stars Gael Garcia Bernal, the Mexican heart-throb who has appeared in a whole list of films, not least “The Motorcycle Diaries”, “Amores Perros” and “Y tu Mamá También”. The film is subtitled, so if you can’t handle that then read no further (but you are missing such a lot).

**** Plot Summary ****

In 1980 Madrid Enrique Goded (Fele Martinez) is a young successful film director searching newspapers for an idea for a story for a new film. The doorbell rings and a bearded young man enters claiming to be Enrique’s old school friend Ignacio Rodriguez, however he now wants to be known by his acting name “Angel Andrade”. Angel (Gael Garcia Bernal) announces that he has written a story called “The Visit” based on their schooldays but with a different ending and he would like Enrique to consider making the story into a film. Angel then leaves.

In “The Visit” there are three main characters, Ignacio, Enrique and the school principal Father Manolo. The three meet years later when they are adults. Enrique has become a frustrated family man, Father Manolo is no longer a priest and Ignacio has become Zahara, a drug addict transvestite. In the story the encounter ends tragically.

Enrique reads the story with interest and is especially moved by the part about their childhood which describes the love between the two boys and also of Father Manolo’s obsession with Ignacio. Father Manolo has Enrique expelled from the school to remove the competition.

Enrique and Angel meet again and Enrique tells him that he is very interested in the story and would like to make it into a film. Angel agrees as long as he can play the main role of Zahara. But Enrique thinks that Angel is too masculine for the role. On their next meeting Angel has shaved off his beard and slimmed down and announces that he has been frequenting gay bars to study transvestites for the role. Reluctantly Enrique agrees to allow Angel to play the part.

The story (and the story within a story) then twists and turns and interweaves in a multitude ways that will leave your mind spinning – but I can reveal no more here without ruining the fabulous script.

**** Opinion ****

This is classic Almodóvar at his best. Like many of his past films there are tremendous characters, a complex and intelligent storyline, superb cinematography and more than a little sex. However, unlike previous films which have largely concentrated on female roles (albeit transvestites in some cases) this film revolves totally around male characters.

At first the storyline may appear a little confusing as it can be difficult to tell the fiction (the inner story) from fact (the actual story) but this all comes together beautifully and you are left without any doubts by the end. The way that the two stories interweave is nothing short of genius.

The style of the film varies and owes itself to many influences. From the French style romanticism of the school flashbacks through farce, tragedy and comedy to dark film noir. Almodóvar’s trademark use of colour and imaginative shots are all present too.

On first impressions the implied child abuse by Father Manolo may seem to be stepping into controversial areas but this aspect is dealt with tactfully. There may be an underlying suggestion that the abuse led to Ignacio’s problems in later life but not his sexuality. A scene in a cinema with the two boys confirms their gay tendencies even before any influence by Father Manolo.

One of the highlights of the film is the performance by Gael Garcia Bernal who had to learn a Spanish accent for the part. He plays several very different roles with great skill and sensitivity which confirms him as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Unlike his Hollywood counterparts he demonstrates that you can be both a film idol and a great actor. His professionalism is demonstrated by his handling of the gay sex scenes that he is required to do. Fele Martinez is also excellent as Enrique. Also look out for “Talk to Her” star Javier Cámara as Zahara’s transvestite friend.

All this is topped off with a superb score by Alberto Iglesias.

**** Summary ****

I am not sure that Bad Education is quite as good as “All About My Mother” or “Talk to Her” but it is still superb. I would highly recommend it to anybody who likes classic cinema with strong involving storylines and brilliant acting. Only homophobes and the internationally challenged need steer clear.

Rated 15/ R for strong sexual content throughout, language and some drug use.

Official site : www.lamalaeducacion.com