Film: Bad Education
Release date: 27th December 2004
Release date: 27th December 2004
Certificate: 15
Running time: 106 mins
Director: Pedro AlmodóvarStarring: Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lluís Homar, Francisco Maestre
Genre: Drama
Studio: PatheFormat: DVD
Country: SpainFor those who don’t know much about the work of Almodóvar, Bad Education may come as a bit of a shock. Although rated 15, it is a daringly blatant criticism of the Catholic faith, with child abuse, homosexual lust, drugs and sex galore. It is also a compelling mystery with an astounding plot.
It would be wrong, and probably impossible, to try to summarise the plot, as the delight of viewing this film lies principally in its intrigue. Instead you need to take into account the bold characters and daring approach which make it so unique. The film is quite demanding on the audience - emotionally and intellectually - as we try to unravel the threads that link the characters and their secrets. As the story develops it flits between three time settings: childhood in a Catholic boarding school, 1970s Valencia and 1980s Madrid, which provides the present day setting and starting point of the film.
Here we meet Ignacio, who prefers to be known as Angel, and Enrique, two former school friends, now in their thirties, who have not seen each other since boyhood. Angel has written a script – ‘The Visit’ - detailing the secrets of the former friends’ Catholic schooling, and so we are transported to this period. We learn, with few details spared, about the restraints and suffering imposed during an upbringing under these circumstances in Franco’s Spain. We also understand just why the boys were so close, what united them, and what threw them apart. This is an attack on strict religion, showing that not only did it lead to suffering, but was hypocritical coming from the priests. Besides, it did not have the desired impact on the boys, as Enrique claims at a young age ‘I’m a hedonist’…
Theirs is a complex relationship, made even more so by the ending of ‘The Visit’, in which the young Ignacio has become ‘Zahara’, a quick-witted, stylish, confident and drug dependent transsexual who seeks revenge on the church, and in particular on Father Manolo, for the repression and abuse caused in Ignacio’s childhood. It becomes difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, as the sinister and sad Father Manolo is all real, but if Ignacio became Angel, then where did Zahara come from? Back to 1980s Madrid and Angel is an aspiring actor, and Enrique a director. In Angel’s desire to play the part of Zahara, it seems he is willing to go to extreme lengths, leading to suspicion on Enrique’s part about what really happened in the intervening years. He finds the answers to some of his questions by visiting Ignacio’s mother and uncovering another key character, Ignacio’s brother Juan.
However, it becomes clear that it is Father Manolo who is in control, as he held the keys not only to the boys’ freedom and futures, but now also to each of the intricately woven plots from each time setting. When he appears on the set of ‘The Visit’, Enrique and the audience will find the answers to all the questions raised throughout the film. Who is Ignacio? Why did he become Angel? What happened to Zahara? And where does Juan come into this?
Bad Education is at once intricate and extravagant, bold and beautiful, shocking and touching. It is a story of unparalleled loyalty and downright deceit. It is a sad, brave and honest portrayal of misplaced love and eroticism, and confused identities.
Everything about this film, from the truly phenomenal performance by Garcia Bernal, to the intriguing storyline complete with obligatory transvestites, screams Almodóvar. The audience is treated to his trademark stylish madrileño setting and some stunningly beautifully composed scenes, and costume design by Jean Paul Gaultier. Its triumph, however, is the plot, which successfully combines a myriad of characters, time settings, and the relationships between each. Whoever said there are only seven possible plot-lines had not contemplated this!
Bad Education is not for you if you are easily shocked, or if you like a predictable ending - and it does take some concentration if you are to follow it properly. Persevere, and you will be amazed. Bad Education is a masterpiece.
It would be wrong, and probably impossible, to try to summarise the plot, as the delight of viewing this film lies principally in its intrigue. Instead you need to take into account the bold characters and daring approach which make it so unique. The film is quite demanding on the audience - emotionally and intellectually - as we try to unravel the threads that link the characters and their secrets. As the story develops it flits between three time settings: childhood in a Catholic boarding school, 1970s Valencia and 1980s Madrid, which provides the present day setting and starting point of the film.
Here we meet Ignacio, who prefers to be known as Angel, and Enrique, two former school friends, now in their thirties, who have not seen each other since boyhood. Angel has written a script – ‘The Visit’ - detailing the secrets of the former friends’ Catholic schooling, and so we are transported to this period. We learn, with few details spared, about the restraints and suffering imposed during an upbringing under these circumstances in Franco’s Spain. We also understand just why the boys were so close, what united them, and what threw them apart. This is an attack on strict religion, showing that not only did it lead to suffering, but was hypocritical coming from the priests. Besides, it did not have the desired impact on the boys, as Enrique claims at a young age ‘I’m a hedonist’…
Theirs is a complex relationship, made even more so by the ending of ‘The Visit’, in which the young Ignacio has become ‘Zahara’, a quick-witted, stylish, confident and drug dependent transsexual who seeks revenge on the church, and in particular on Father Manolo, for the repression and abuse caused in Ignacio’s childhood. It becomes difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, as the sinister and sad Father Manolo is all real, but if Ignacio became Angel, then where did Zahara come from? Back to 1980s Madrid and Angel is an aspiring actor, and Enrique a director. In Angel’s desire to play the part of Zahara, it seems he is willing to go to extreme lengths, leading to suspicion on Enrique’s part about what really happened in the intervening years. He finds the answers to some of his questions by visiting Ignacio’s mother and uncovering another key character, Ignacio’s brother Juan.
However, it becomes clear that it is Father Manolo who is in control, as he held the keys not only to the boys’ freedom and futures, but now also to each of the intricately woven plots from each time setting. When he appears on the set of ‘The Visit’, Enrique and the audience will find the answers to all the questions raised throughout the film. Who is Ignacio? Why did he become Angel? What happened to Zahara? And where does Juan come into this?
Bad Education is at once intricate and extravagant, bold and beautiful, shocking and touching. It is a story of unparalleled loyalty and downright deceit. It is a sad, brave and honest portrayal of misplaced love and eroticism, and confused identities.
Everything about this film, from the truly phenomenal performance by Garcia Bernal, to the intriguing storyline complete with obligatory transvestites, screams Almodóvar. The audience is treated to his trademark stylish madrileño setting and some stunningly beautifully composed scenes, and costume design by Jean Paul Gaultier. Its triumph, however, is the plot, which successfully combines a myriad of characters, time settings, and the relationships between each. Whoever said there are only seven possible plot-lines had not contemplated this!
Bad Education is not for you if you are easily shocked, or if you like a predictable ending - and it does take some concentration if you are to follow it properly. Persevere, and you will be amazed. Bad Education is a masterpiece.
Fantastic review! Refreshing to read something so intelligent and punchy.
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