BAD EDUCATION (La Mala Educaciòn) (2004) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Pedro Almodòvar

Starring - Gael Garcia Bernal, Fele Martinez, Daniel Gimènez Cacho, Lluis Homas

"Bad Education is a stylish semi-autobiographical work by Pedro Almodòvar about his homosexual awakening and his upbringing in a Catholic school. The story more particularly follows the coming of age of two young males, who feel an attraction to each other from a young age and for that reason are kept separate fro one another when their infatuation is discovered. 

It is an ensemble of difficult and mature themes that have rarely been brought to the big screen with such genuineness. There is also a certain vibe of heartfelt frustration and anger that reveals the personal connection of the filmmaker with his work. 

The style is equally as impressive, with elements of hopeless romance and film noir that accentuates in a unique way the juxtaposition of the uncomfortable theme of the Catholic Church and its relations to homosexuality. 

Shot in bleak tones and colours, and featuring a great performance by Gael Garcia Bernal in the leading role, Bad Education is perhaps Pedro Almodovar's most demanding work, but definitely one full of meaning and certainly worth watching.

Drama, Spain