Almodóvar Explores Tigers, Transvestites, and Philosophy in Essay, Leaving Impact on His Filmography
In the realm of film criticism, it's a tall order to write about a renowned director's work without overwhelming the reader with detail. Yet, James Miller manages to break the mold with his book, "La pasión de Pedro Almodóvar: Un retrato autointimo en siete peliculas". Instead of drowning readers in the intricate tapestry of Almodóvar's vast filmography, Miller chooses a select few films, promising to present an "unusual kind of 'self-portrait' of the artist".
You might be intrigued to know that Miller is not just another face in the sea of critics. Beyond his role as a professor at The New School in New York, he's also penned works on rock-and-roll, democracy, and the thoughts of French philosopher Michel Foucault. In his cinematic debut, he brings a fresh perspective and intellectual curiosity to Almodóvar, whose work has been extensively studied.
Miller's approach is a breath of fresh air, avoiding the formulaic prose of journalism and the exhausting density of academic writing. Instead, he guides us on a swift tour of Almodóvar's oeuvre, focusing on films and themes that pique his interest. Take, for example, the chapter on "La mala educación" and its deeply troubling story of a boy abused by Catholic priests. Miller weaves a surprising detour through the biography of Giovanni "Don" Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order that ran the school Almodóvar attended. This seemingly random digression provides an insight into why Almodóvar's 1983 film, "Entre tinieblas," features naughty nuns with a tiger as a pet.
Miller's dedication to research is evident. He synthesizes arguments, quotes, and observations from an impressive array of sources, including DVD extras, informal press notes, and hundreds of interviews. However, his book is not a rigorous work of scholarship. Instead, it's an academic who, in compiling such an extensive corpus of information, might make a parenthetical observation about script differences.
Despite the occasional erratic organization and methodology, Miller demonstrates a deep understanding of Almodóvar's work, especially regarding the groundbreaking nature of his career trajectory. He sheds light on the cultural movement, La Movida, that made it possible for a provincial nobody to become an internationally acclaimed filmmaker.
Miller is a stimulating writer, showing little interest in resolving issues but rather in generating thought and debate. In this spirit, he writes, "memories of Almodóvar's early years emerge in his work 'like wreckage from a shipwreck'". The same could be said of the ideas in "La pasión de Pedro Almodóvar".
Miller's refusal to spell everything out leaves room for Almodóvar enthusiasts to consider his work from new perspectives. A phrase that Carmen Maura once uttered, "Almodóvar was 'like a younger brother to me'," made me ponder Almodóvar's familial approach to filmmaking. Almodóvar has a history of casting his loved ones, such as his brother Agustín, in his films, creating a cinematic universe populated by familiar faces.
In essence, "La pasión de Pedro Almodóvar" is a journey into the mind of one of the world's most revered filmmakers, offering a glimpse into the blurred lines between fiction and reality, the exploration of individual freedom, and the durability of a sense of self. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of cinema and the human spirit that drives it.
Sources:1. The New Yorker. (2022, February 26). Films of Mirth and Menace. Retrieved from https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/02/28/films-of-mirth-and-menace2. Varsity. (n.d.). The Passion of Pedro Almodóvar: James Miller reflects on Almodóvar's life and work. Retrieved from https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2022/01/16/the-passion-of-pedro-almodovar-james-miller-reflects-on-almodovars-life-and-work-1242963. The Guardian. (2022, February 28). The Passion of Pedro Almodóvar review – a thoughtful guide to a maverick film-maker. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/feb/28/the-passion-of-pedro-almodovar-review-james-miller-almodovar
- The intellectual curiosity presented by James Miller in his book, "La pasion de Pedro Almodovar: Un retrato autointimo en siete peliculas," extends beyond film analysis, as he has also written about rock-and-roll, democracy, and the thoughts of Michel Foucault.
- In his book, Miller explores Almodovar's work through a unique lens, delving into the deeper meaning behind films like "La mala educacion," and making connections to historical figures such as Giovanni "Don" Bosco.
- Miller's book is not just a scholarly work, but also a thought-provoking exploration of Almodovar's career trajectory, highlighting the cultural movement La Movida that helped propel him to international fame.
- "La pasion de Pedro Almodovar" is not simply a biography or filmography of the renowned director, but a journey into the heart of Almodovar's cinematic universe, offering valuable insights into his themes, techniques, and the human spirit that drives his work.
