Viva Pedro Part Five: Live Flesh

Viva Pedro Part Five
Live Flesh ***

"Live Flesh" is the fifth film in the "Viva Pedro" restrospective series that I've been watching of late, and out of all of the ones I've seen, this is the first that is not an original story idea from Almodovar. And it is apparent, probably from the second scene onward. It doesn't tell a story about groups of women trying to change their lives, or about transexuals. It does have some classic complicated storylines, and strange characters, but it isn't an original Almovodar, which makes it very interesting to watch. As usual, the storyline is absurd, and something that could never possibly happen in real life, and yet, Almodovar writes and directs characters which seem so realistic, that the outlandish plot seems as if this kind of stuff is happening in our own backyards.

"Live Flesh" was originally released in 1997. This story begins with the birth of Victor. In a classic Almodovar scene, which I suspect was something original that wasn't in the original novel on which this film is based. After all, it does have a crazy mother-like character giving birth to a young women in a bus. And after the baby is born, yes, the mother-like character cuts off the umblical cord with her teeth. And then, the story takes a more dramatic turn. Twenty years later, Victor is a pizza delivery man, who has a date with Elena, a woman who he lost his virginity to in a bathroom stall. Elena was stoned at the time, and wants nothing to do with Victor. Victor goes to her house, which results in a gun, and the arrival of two cops who are answering to the plea of a neighbor who heard a gunshot. One of the cops is a drunk, who knows that his wife is cheating on him. The other is David, who ends up getting shot in the leg, and crippled for the rest of his life. Victor is sent to jail, and when he comes out four years later, he learns that his mother is dead, David is in a wheelchair, and Elena has married the cop. He bumps into her in the cemetary, where he also meets Clara, the wife of David's partner. And these five characters all begin to interconnect as attractions flair, and nothing will remain the same.

As in all Almodovar films, it's best to walk in not knowing really anything about the story. It's best to watch the plot unfold before you. He has a way of making all of his stories just happen, moment by moment. There are constant twists and turns, and nothing is ever really clear until the end. But it's always one hell of a ride. He managed to take this story, which isn's his, and make it one of his own. If it wasn't for the "based on the novel by" credit at the end, I would never have guessed that he didn't write it from his twisted mind. And even with all the crazy plot twists, and unbelievable story, he manages to deliver a happy ending, and a satisfying one. But what happens between point A and B is the kicker. Almodovar's direction is flawless. He uses a technique of using old movies and news clips and incorparating them into his story. For example, at one point, a woman is watching a movie on television. There is a gun shot in real life, and yet we don't see the actual bullet, but the bullet from the gun shot in the movie. It's a technique that he uses in almost all his films, and it's always effective, always clever, and it always fits perfectly. "Live Flesh" is a fine film, and a very entertaining one. It is sad, tragic, funny, erotic, and it goes by in what feels like ten minutes.

"Viva Pedro" continues next week with "Law of Desire."