I've Loved You So Long

Law of Desire

Another strange and yet fascinating film from director Pedro Almodovar. As is his usual style the storyline is shambolic and requires a great deal of attention, tricky when you're reading subtitles simultaneously with trying to see the action! In this film Pablo ( a film director mmmm) is obsessed with Juan - a 'straight' boy who cannot love him, becomes the object of the dangerous attention of Antonio (an interesting portrayal by Antonio Banderas), who falls passionately in love with Pablo - who in turn cannot return the affection of this boy (who is also allegedly straight too). Meanwhile Pablo's transexual sister Tina (keep up damn it!) is looking after the abandoned daughter of a flighty friend. All Almodovar's films are peopled by the unusual and bizarre and are tragic in the extreme - this is no exception, there is sex, violence, extreme emotions and a dramatic ending. I always wonder how much Almodovar is playing out his own fantasies and frustrations. Nevertheless a rating of 7/10 is deserved. Is this a tragic tale?

Then She Found Me

April (played by Helen Hunt) is a late 30s recently married (to Matthew Broderick) Jewish woman desperate for children before it's too late, and adopted. Her adoptive mother dies and suddenly there appears Bette Midler (in a remarkable role, remarkably played) - her natural mother. Matthew Broderick decides he isn't grown up enough for marriage and leaves her - but

not before he impregnates April - although neither know it. Teacher April falls for Colin Firth (whose wife has abandoned him & their children), the father of two of her very young pupils. This isn't your average love story, nothing is straightforward, and Bette Midler (once a poor unmarried mother/waitress) now morning cable TV chat show hostess, plays the loud, over the top, brash, feisty part for all its worth - but with sensitivity and wit. I was impressed by this film. It could have been mawkish and truly obnoxious, but instead it was played by all actors as a thoughtful drama with humour and a punch too. Rating: 8/10

Somers Town

The Wackness