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Broken Embraces
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Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Blanca Portillo, Lluís Homar, Penélope Cruz
  • Summary: A man writes, lives and loves in darkness. Fourteen years before, he was in a brutal car crash on the island of Lanzarote. In the accident, he not only lost his sight, he also lost Lena, the love of his life. One night when he's asked about his life before the accident, the man can't refuse the chance to tell his story. (Sony Classics)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    A voluptuary of a film, drunk on primary colors, caressing Penelope Cruz, using the devices of a Hitchcock to distract us with surfaces while the sinister uncoils beneath. As it ravished me, I longed for a freeze frame to allow me to savor a shot.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    The notable lack of chemistry between Cruz and Homar is a crucial absence in a film about all-consuming romance. And though each part is great fun to watch, the whole feels unfinished.
  3. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    38
    Almodovar lets his movie become boring, and insufferably so.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. BradK.
    10
    A gorgeous film! Cruz is incredible and unmatched in her ability to morph and demonstrate nuance throughout the film. The overall feeling of the film is unsettling in a captivating way. This is not "Volver," but closer to "Bad Education," but with a sense of humor in light of the bleak scenario. It also brilliantly captures the effects of Spanish literature's common metatextual and autoreferential themes, with "Chicas y Maletas" mirroring "Women on the Verge..." and Cruz herself playing a woman who wants to be an actress, a star, in a film from the leader of Spanish film.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. AnnMary
    9
    Penelope Cruz is one the best actresses in the world nowadays. This is a new example of her excellent way of performing and her lovely talent. She deserves another Academy Award Nomination.… Expand
    • 0 of 1 users said yes
  3. asthobaskoro
    4
    Pedro Almodovar? Check. Hard-boiled 1950s American film noir? Check. Penelope Cruz? Check. I think it's not bad movie but it's quite not interesting for me.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 5 User Reviews

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