Owen’s Oldies: ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’

By Owen Glancy Arts & Features Editor Of the European countries known for their robust film industries, most people often think of France, Italy, and Germany. However, an oft overlooked equal among them is Spain, a country whose cinema and the masters born of it is often passed over. While filmmakers like J.A. Bayona and Luis Buñuel have both left their marks, no other Spanish filmmaker has had more success than Pedro Almodóvar. He has one of the largest filmographies in the industry, but his 1988 film “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” stands out amongst the crowd. The film follows a woman named Pepa who, after her boyfriend breaks up with her, resolves to end her own life with spiked gazpacho, only to be repeatedly interrupted by increasingly absurd events. Despite the dark plot synopsis, this is a film that is anything but depressing. Almodóvar takes lots of inspiration from Buñuel in this film’s structure, specifically from his film “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.” That film follows a similar plot structure of characters determined to fulfill a task, only to be routinely interrupted by increasingly absurd events. Considering the fact that Buñuel’s film came out in 1972, and given how similar the tones of the films are, Almodóvar absolutely was inspired. However, unlike the film from which he was inspired, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is far more focused on the central characters. Pepa, played by Carmen Maura, is one of cinema’s most sympathetic characters. Her feelings of downward spiral following a bad breakup are universal - I don’t know a single person who couldn’t relate to her struggles in this film. Seeing her sarcastic brand of humor slowly crack as hope re-enters her life through the absurdities of her companion’s problems is truly inspiring, it fills the audience with hope. We also see an early Antonio Banderas performance as Pepa’s ex-boyfriend Carlos, and he does an excellent job. He perfectly encapsulates this slimy, pathetic man who, while not anywhere near the realm of “evil,” is a frighteningly realistic “terrible partner.” However, despite the plethora of red flags, Banderas’ charismatic performance also makes you see how a woman as headstrong as Pepa could fall in love with a man like Carlos. The performances aren’t the only defining feature of the film - the cinematography is just as important. Every scene is filled with vibrant colors that perfectly outline the characters and make them stand out in the frame. Even in crowded airports, maze-like offices, and cluttered apartments, the visual noise never drowns out the characters - a feat made possible thanks to the film’s brilliant blocking and framing. The main characters are always the focus of the frame, always standing out from the crowd. These phenomenal aspects didn’t go unnoticed, as this film became Almodóvar’s first big success, especially internationally. The film earned over $7 million in U.S. ticket sales alone, and was the highest grossing film in Spain at the time of its release. It was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, Almodóvar’s first nomination. The film is one of the very few to earn both box office success and critical praise, two things that can often be mutually exclusive. “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is a deceptively witty and charming film, hiding behind the guise of a heavy plot synopsis and wordy title. It earns every bit of praise it received at the time of its release, and it especially deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of film lovers who will inevitably fall in love with its characters, story, and construction. “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” is not currently streaming anywhere for free, but can be bought or rented on services like Amazon Prime.