Thinking Aloud About Film: Pedro Almodóvar 2: Labyrinth of Passion

We discuss Almodóvar’s second feature, Labyrinth of Passion, where Almodóvar himself appears both as director and rock star in minor roles. We talk about its convoluted plot, its verbal and visual campyness, its anti-authoritarian stance and its status as a youth film. We note how even in his second film, there are evident connections with his first film (not least in the recurring cast) and plot strands that will re-appear subsequently (the airport scene in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown). We talk about it (briefly) as a document of its time, particularly in relation to the Nueva Movida Madrileña. The plot is straight out of Hello magazine; the idea that sex, drugs and art are a fun path without pitfalls to liberation is straight out of underground comics. Richard Lester’s cinema is a clear influence. Fanny McNamara steals the show. We could have talked for a lot longer.

Pedro Almodovar 2 – Labyrinth Of Passion (1982) by Jose Arroyo

José has written on the film previously here:

A  trailer for the film can be seen here:

The Janet Maslin review Richard speaks of may be accessed here;

José Arroyo and Richard Layne.