This is the movie which got Pedro Almodovar into the list of one of the many great filmmakers. The story has the classic
touch of the director, with its intertwining of different characters - whore mothers, pregnant nuns, transvestites and lesbian divas. Even with such variety, he succeeds in getting that tear quite often.
Instead of highlighting the
bizarre characteristics of these individuals (who're bizarre enough in their own natural way), Almodovar concentrates on their humanity. These characters are not developed as caricatures, but are brought to life as people worth sympathizing with. That's where the film turns out to be path breaking. One that you should not miss.
It makes the difficult task of walking on the thin line of aesthetics and vulgarity appear easy. No doubt, that it was awarded the best foreign language film in 1999 at the Oscars.
P.S: Watch the difference how Bollywood humorously treats the queer in the saddest fashion and how Almodovar handles them.