Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios, Pedro Almodóvar, 1988, Spain)

Pedro Almodóvar’s international breakthrough Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown cemented his position as an essential voice on the international cinema scene. With barbiturate-spiked gazpacho, mambo taxi cabs, and answering machine melodrama, this fast-paced dark comedy was described by Pauline Kael as “one of the jauntiest of all war-of-the-sexes comedies.”

The film starts off simple: Iván and Pepa were romantically entangled voice actors dubbing Johnny Guitar, but Iván has just left Pepa. He leaves a message on her answering machine; she has slept in and is late for work. Thus begins this supremely stylish romp of chaotic miscommunications, extraordinary outfits, and super-saturated colors that are simply no longer represented on multiplex screens today. Made with total reverence for women and their inner worlds, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is a must-watch on the big screen. With a magnetic ensemble cast including Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Rossy de Palma, María Barranco, and Fernando Guillén. In Spanish with English subtitles. (88 mins., DCP)

Join us in Heirloom Café before the screening for a guided cocktail tasting with series sponsor Antiques on High beginning at 6 PM. Featuring handcrafted beverages and a cocktail talk from one of Antiques' professional bartenders, this prescreening event is a great way to savor the tastes of summer while mixing and mingling with fellow film lovers. Tickets for the tasting must be purchased in advance and include admission to the film.

See the entire A Summer Abroad: International Film Classics lineup.