1. La ley del deseo (Law of desire; 1987)

This is it. The number 1 movie in my Almodovar countdown. Yeah, most people would say "Hable con ella" or "Todo sobre mi madre" should be number 1, but this is my countdown and I have already explained why those great movies are not in the top spot.
"La ley del deseo" is the greatest Almodovar movie based on the standard of what an Almodovar movie should be. When he made this movie, the director was already famous for a style of narrative, crazy characters, shock situations, colors, and music... but this film combined all those elements in the most personal way he had created before. It was also the first film produced by his company, so of course it shows a lot of freedom. After this movie, Almodovar truly became the international star who toured film festivals with "Mujeres al borde.." and is still collecting awards for most of the movies he has released ever since. The cast of "La ley del deseo" had, in its majority, been with him in "Matador," and the chemistry between actors and actresses (well, Carmen) is impressive. This movie is impressive. Sure, not for everybody, since it's another X/NC-17 title with a very strong gay plot and lots of tragedy (not the first time and sure not the last for Almodovar).
My favorite moment? Early in the film we get to see the Quintero brothers (oops, siblibings, since one of them becomes a woman... a story we saw again many years later in "La mala educacion") share screen with the Antonio character by accident. They still don't know him, but he will be a key player in their lives. It is an intersection of characters that stops in the frame and then we get the movie title... great in every way. And the music is repurposed from an early Almodovar movie. Bonezzi composed "La soledad de Gloria" (also known as "El adios de Gloria") for "Que he hecho yo para merecer esto," but Pedor ruporposed the track here for the intro of "La ley del deseo" and it worked much, much better. Here's the brief intersection of chatacters (notice the slick Banderas hairdo.. ha ha). Clip is here.
When I first saw this movie… I am convinced I saw this movie with Alex Manrique and/or David Tamayo at the cine Aladino in downtown Merida. It was a crappy place that only showed low-budget Mexican movies or titty movies... or kinky Spanish stuff...

Comments

[RW]

Thanks for the countdown. I've enjoyed it.
Maybe I will post a countdown of the 16 best episodes of the 'Curious George' cartoon Owen watches constantly.