Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 7, 2016

Nominated for Oscar Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Pedro Almodovar's " Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" a.k.a. "Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the disc include a filmed introduction by critic Jose Arroyo and featurette with cast and crew interviews. In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Rejected

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is the film that placed Pedro Almodovar amongst Europe’s elite directors. Before its release he had enjoyed some domestic success with Dark Habits and Matador, but it was the enthusiastic international reception of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown that profoundly changed the Spanish helmer’s career.

At the center of the film is Pepa (a truly brilliant Carmen Maura) who has recently discovered that her lover, Ivan (Fernando Guillén), has ditched her for another woman. She has tried to quickly restore balance in her life -- by arguing with the voices in her head that all men are the same and that without Ivan she is actually going to feel a lot better -- but has failed miserably and is now ready to end it with a big jug of cold gazpacho loaded with some tiny sleeping pills. Her plan is put on hold when her best friend, Candela (María Barranco), appears concerned that the cops might be after her because her ex-lover has been assisting a radical group of Shiite terrorists. Then Carlos (Antonio Banderas) and his girlfriend Marisa (Rossy de Palma) also ring her doorbell and exacerbate her headache. Eventually, the cops arrive, and then Ivan’s wife, Lucia (Julieta Serrano), rushes in with a loaded gun.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a wild and brilliantly scripted film that loves playing with the viewer’s expectations. Frankly, watching it feels a bit like getting drunk -- slowly but effectively -- while downing freshly made exotic cocktails. It is tremendously colorful, full of different themes and flavors, and unexpectedly effective.

The film’s biggest strength comes from Almodovar’s impressive ability to effectively deconstruct the female psyche. For example, he recognizes women’s vulnerabilities but instead of trying to mask them with the safe clichés the two sexes love to use when they stay politically correct he embraces them and actually helps them emerge as real human beings. This is a process in which Almodovar typically goes to some fascinating extremes in order to be as efficient as possible -- hence the reason why a lot of his later films introduce some pretty spectacular contrasts -- but the female characterizations are always remarkably accurate.

In this film Almodovar introduces a group of normal female characters with different vulnerabilities that find a way to regain their composure after they are essentially left to self-destruct. The circumstances that shape up their transformations from victims to victors, however, are anything but normal. Basically, there are series of odd tests that force them out of their comfort zones but ultimately help them realize that their lives can be a lot more satisfying. It may not initially look like one, but it is a very strong feminist film.

Almodovar shot the film with his regular cinematographer, José Luis Alcaine. The two are an unbeatable team. While a lot of their later collaborations can look even more impressive, the use of colors and light here is quite striking.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Pedro Almodovar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal.

The film has been recently restored in 2K by French label TF1. Currently, it appears in this box set together with five additional films.

I did a few direct comparisons with the R1 DVD release of the film from Sony's Viva Pedro: The Almodóvar Collection box set and can categorically state that the new presentation is vastly superior. Indeed, there are dramatic improvements that allow one to experience the film in an entirely new way. While definition and clarity are indeed excellent, I think that the biggest improvements are in the area of color depth and saturation. Almodovar's work with José Luis Alcaine has very unique qualities and now the types of nuances and balances (specifically the arrangement and treatment of colors and light) that define it finally feel legit. Grain is nicely exposed and resolved, never appearing smeared or frozen. Also, there are absolutely no traces of problematic sharpening adjustments. Image stability is outstanding. Debris, cuts, damage marks, stains, warps, and all other age-related imperfections have also been effectively eliminated. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: Spanish LPCM 2.0 and Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Imposed English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the LPCM 2.0 track. Right from the opening credits it becomes very obvious that the audio has been fully remastered. I don't have any technical details to share, but clarity and depth are simply outstanding. Balance enhancements must have been performed as well because the sporadic unevenness that is present in the mid- register on the R1 DVD release is gone. There are no pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or digital distortions to report.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction - a filmed introduction to Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown by film historian Jose Arroyo. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Around Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown - included in this featurette are clips from interviews with cast members who discuss their contributions to Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Pedro Almodovar's directing methods. The Spanish helmer also addresses the film's key themes and conflicts. In Spanish, with imposed English subtitles. (14 min).

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pedro Almodovar's international career began with this irresistibly funny film about a group of women who suddenly realize that they have been left to self-destruct. The film has been recently restored in 2K by French label TF1 and I am happy to report that it looks absolutely magnificent in high-definition. Currently, it appears in this Blu-ray box set from StudioCanal, which also includes five additional early films from the Spanish helmer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.