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?