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Bad Education

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Synopsis

Gay director Pedro Almodóvar's latest film is not only his gayest, it's one of our favorites and stars hunky Gael García Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien), who portrays three distinct characters! This movie is now available as part of the gorgeous Viva Pedro collection.

Review

In a pair of (or trio, depending on how you view it) of tour-de-force performances, Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mamá También) stars as Juan, an actor; Ángel, his gay alter-ego; and as Zahar, his drag persona in Pedro Almodóvar's gayest film yet. Though never explicit, homoeroticism reigns supreme in this eminently watchable film about a young man whose life has been shattered by a pedophile priest. Exhibiting all of the trademarks of a classic Almodóvar film, Bad Education jumps around in different time frames, has a mystery (or two or three) and is highly stylized — where this film departs is that all three lead characters are queer men, not women.

The film opens in 1980 where a young, succesful, gay Madrid director Enrique is looking through the tabloids for a story for his new film when his old school friend Ignacio Rodríguez walks in the door. Enrique remembers his friend perfectly as he was his first love, but he doesn’t recognize this man. Ignacio bears a story called "The Visit" that tells of the traumatic events at the Catholic boys school they both attended. The story was inspired by their childhood at school, their problems with a pedophile priest Father Manolo. The story also tells of their mutual discovery of cinema, love of football and each other.

There's plenty of eye candy in this superb creation from Almodóvar: not only is Bernal a hunk, but the actor portraying Enrique is also quite hot. BTW, there is no full frontal nudity in this NC-17 rated film — there's some racy gay stuff, it's just not totally naked.

With two parallel story lines, time and character may become confused for the casual viewer. We advise you to stick with it, Bad Education wasn't at all bad for us. (Spanish with English subtitles)

-- Scott Cranin

Keywords

Adolescence, Drag / Transgender, Drugs, Gay, Latino, Priest / Preacher / Minister

Genres

Drama, Gay/Lesbian, International

Customer Reviews

A psychological roller coaster ride

Reneixana wrote on 06/05/2005:

I had to view this movie a second time to figure out all the twists and turns it took. Myself a former resident of Spain, this film captures and portrays a pivotol time in contemporary Spain - the 70's after the death of Franco - and takes the viewer for a wild ride. Highly recommended.

He's Done It Again

Phil wrote on 02/12/2005:

How Almodovar keeps doing it is amazing. Here he mixes up several genres and comes up with his most accomplished film. Everything - from directing, writing, acting, cinematography, sets and overall visual effects - works perfectly here. Bernal gives an execellent performance and his future in acting, already assured, is just reinforced here. Be ready for this story to keep turning and turning and turning - it is full of wonderful surprises. The master has done it again. And gay audiences, as well as general audiences, should be happy.

even at his best

1almodovar (ajordansd@hotmail.com) wrote on 02/01/2005:

Again Senor Almodovar has left me speechles with his flawless cinematography, plot, climax, story and art. Almodovar at his best because i'v being watching his films since "la ley del deseo", only because i ran into the VHS cover box at blockbuster back in 1987 and seen all and "bad educacion" still did it to me from taking you to the edge of your seat to mesmarizing you til' the ending. Full props go to el senor pedro almodovar.