Bad Education is a film directed by Pedro Almodóvar that courts controversy in so many ways. It covers topics ranging from homosexuality to cross-dressing to the Roman Catholic Church to murder. Plus, it carries an NC-17 rating. It is true, that at certain points, this film is extremely gross and very hard to watch without retching.
Yet what stood out to me about the film is its style, so unique in its use of color. I haven't seen any other of Almodóvar's films, but this one kept my attention. Every shot seems specifically chosen for its desired effect. A swimming pool, a soccer field, and a Catholic Church all come to life through various camera techniques. It is filmed is in the Hitchcockian tradition (e.g., the wonderful music in the opening credits composed by Alberto Iglesias), yet it's definitely not some kind of rip-off. In fact, I have never seen anything quite like it.
Yet all this style means nothing without the interesting, yet repulsive screenplay, written by Almodóvar. The film tells the story of a screenplay (no, really), and its basis upon the schooling of Ignacio and Enrique in a Catholic school under the corrupt Father Manolo. It's carried along with such determination by the actors, among which are an excellent Gael Garcia Bernal, Fele Martinez, and Daniel Giménez Cacho. The plot twists occur suddenly, but subtly, as if Almodóvar expected us to realize they were there the entire time.
Again, I will mention the film's sickening quality, a quality that can be a necessity. With the subject matter in the film, I can understand it to a point, but sometimes it seems as if it is included merely for the purpose of appalling the viewer. I feel that the film also loses focus in its ending, retaining its style, but losing what seems the purpose of the rest of the film.
The film doesn't explore life to its core, but it does show a man who will go to any length to get what he wants, and several other characters who seem to fit in the same category. It is as if Almodóvar is disillusioned by so many things, and since he cannot see beauty in these things themselves, he uses his camera to inject beauty into them. The beauty is real, but somehow forced.
Final Grade: B.
Yet what stood out to me about the film is its style, so unique in its use of color. I haven't seen any other of Almodóvar's films, but this one kept my attention. Every shot seems specifically chosen for its desired effect. A swimming pool, a soccer field, and a Catholic Church all come to life through various camera techniques. It is filmed is in the Hitchcockian tradition (e.g., the wonderful music in the opening credits composed by Alberto Iglesias), yet it's definitely not some kind of rip-off. In fact, I have never seen anything quite like it.
Yet all this style means nothing without the interesting, yet repulsive screenplay, written by Almodóvar. The film tells the story of a screenplay (no, really), and its basis upon the schooling of Ignacio and Enrique in a Catholic school under the corrupt Father Manolo. It's carried along with such determination by the actors, among which are an excellent Gael Garcia Bernal, Fele Martinez, and Daniel Giménez Cacho. The plot twists occur suddenly, but subtly, as if Almodóvar expected us to realize they were there the entire time.
Again, I will mention the film's sickening quality, a quality that can be a necessity. With the subject matter in the film, I can understand it to a point, but sometimes it seems as if it is included merely for the purpose of appalling the viewer. I feel that the film also loses focus in its ending, retaining its style, but losing what seems the purpose of the rest of the film.
The film doesn't explore life to its core, but it does show a man who will go to any length to get what he wants, and several other characters who seem to fit in the same category. It is as if Almodóvar is disillusioned by so many things, and since he cannot see beauty in these things themselves, he uses his camera to inject beauty into them. The beauty is real, but somehow forced.
Final Grade: B.