Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

Part of the April series The Aesthetics of Barbie, hosted by the Cinema Society of Kingston.

This screening will be introduced by Frank Burke (Professor Emeritus, Queen’s Film & Media), who is a big fan of Almodóvar and recently taught a course on the filmmaker.

Melding melodrama with screwball farce, this Academy Award–nominated black comedy was Pedro Almodóvar’s international breakthrough and secured his place at the vanguard of modern Spanish cinema. Continuing the auteur’s exploration of the female psyche, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown tells the story of Pepa—played by the director’s frequent collaborator Carmen Maura—who resolves to kill herself with a batch of sleeping-pill-laced gazpacho after her lover leaves her. Fortunately, she is interrupted by a deliciously chaotic series of events. The filmmaker channeled Hollywood inspiration into his own unique vision, arriving at the irreverent humor and vibrant visual sense that define his work today. With an exceptional ensemble cast that also includes Antonio Banderas and Rossy de Palma, this film shows an artist in total control of his craft.

Trivia: The vibrant and eclectic costumes featured in the film were designed by José María de Cossío, who drew inspiration from the bold colors and patterns of Madrid’s bustling street life during the 1980s, adding an extra layer of visual excitement to the chaotic world of the characters.