Bad Education
2004 (Spain)
dir: Pedro Almodovar
Gael García Bernal, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Fele Martínez
A young man, Enrique (played by Fele Martinez) is working as a film director. He is visited by a childhood friend Ignacio Rodriguez (played by Gael Garcia Bernal), who is looking for work. Before he leaves Ignacio gives Enrique a book that he has written called 'The Visit'. The story centres around the lives of two young boys who attend a Catholic School. Enrique decides to make a film based on the book which is set to resurrect his own childhood.
The film visits three time periods. The past features the Catholic School where two young boys come of age and begin to have feelings for one another and the influence their teacher has on their lives, priest Father Manolo (played by Daniel Gimenez Cacho).
The director Pedro Almodovar provides a spellbinding insight into how reality is transformed by fantasy as he weaves his story through the 70s and 80s, and pre and post-Franco Spain. He takes a little time to find his stride, but WOW does this film hit you for six when he does.
The cinematography on show is equally breath-taking, the use of vibrant colours framed by typical film noir neutrals a now established Almodovar trait. It all provides a perfect backdrop for the talented Gael Garcia-Bernal as he impressively juggles multiple personalities. Watching Pedro and Gael at work is an education on its own. This DVD will never be far from my player.