Matador 1986 This late 80s film is the one which gave Almovodar wide exposure in the USA. The young Antonio Banderas plays a rather a deviant person with violent anti-social behavior issues rather than his usual stud role. As the title implies this is a blood red expose/drama/murder mystery concerning bullfighters & sex in the bedroom. A young ex-bullfighter who is getting turned on by killing & a lady lawyer with same problem then the 3rd character a young man driven insane by over-religious upbringing. These are the main characters in this stylish black comedy about dark sides of human nature. Almvodar is a really romantic & like emotional movies with complex plots. He knows movies are never more sensual or alive than when they venture into the forbidden territory & defy limits of plot set by most other films & screenwriters. The opening is shocking: A man sits in front of his TV masturbating to a montage of repulsive slasher-movie images playing on his VCR. Matador makes a zingy connection between the repressed passion of Catholicism (with its images of ecstatic suffering) & the obsessions of its lovers. Angel's mother, a member of the fanatical right-wing religious group Opus Dei. Matador isn't as complex as Law of Desire, & the characters aren't so much real figures as embodiments of psychological drives & impulses (almost to the point of absurdity). They represent places in the Almodovar's dream world. Still, the director & his screen-writing partner, Jesus Ferrero, paint them with great conviction The male leads of Matador (1986) & Law of Desire (1987) essentially switch places. Nacho Martinez, who plays the title character of Matador, takes the supporting role of Dr. Martin in Law of Desire. & Eusebio Poncela, who has the supporting role of police inspector in Matador, has the lead role of the film director in Law of Desire. Matador becomes in every way Surrealist Sex Comedy. The film gives huge amounts of spirited affronts to convention. 5 stars
Review of Matador
