The Spanish comedy, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, was a cute film, but possibly due to cultural differences, not one that I considered very funny. It fits into the screwball slapstick category of film in the sense that the characters exhibited alot of physically violent acts in relationship to the comedy. The coincidences occurring in the plot of the film built upon one another to create the comedic effect.
The women in this film all seemed quite dramatic and emotional in their interactions with men within the same culture. They did not seem to mind that their emotions were openly visible to others. There also seemed to be alot of jealousy going on between the couples in this film. This could be seen between Pepa and Ivan, Lucia and Ivan, Paulina and Ivan, even Marissa and Carlos. I'm sure the infidelity factor came into play to create so much of this. Pepa, as the betrayed lover, was very emotional and persistent in her quest to have a face to face confrontation with Ivan to let him know she was pregnant. When she does confront him at the end, she has been able to pull her emotions together and walk away from the relationship. Lucia's "big" hair and excessive eyelashes added to her aura of extreme emotions and mental instability, noted in her relationship with her son and her pursuit of Ivan. Spanish women's "hot climate culture" places emphasis on relationships and the expression of their culture is demonstrated by emotions involved in these relationships. Feelings in this film were expressed dramatically and were over reacted for effect, but I think many women would react similarly to being cheated on. (Maybe not catch the bed on fire!)
Todays American women I think have many similarities to the Spanish women in the film in that many are strong and independent and will take matters into their own hands, but are also very much influenced by their emotions. I don't think today's American women are taken in so much by the machismo exhibited in this film. I imagine though in any society there will always be the macho man that will appeal to some women, until they are left behind. If this film had occurred in the United States, I think it would have been in a large urban city, Pepa would have had a cat in her apartment but no animals on the patio, but I think much of the film could have been the same.
One difference I have noted between Spanish and American women is that Spanish women seem to be very "touch" oriented, there is more hugging and kissing in their expression. They don't observe spatial boundaries as much as many Americans do, they get into your "personal space." I have noticed this in some of the films we have watched and been a little uncomfortable with it, I suppose because it is not the norm for me.
Women from Spanish America are different from those in Spanish Europe, just as in America there are differences in women from one region to another. There are variations in values, interests, lifestyles,and habits. These differences are what make the world such an interesting place.
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I thought that this film was hillarious. I viewed the relationships of the women and men as outrageous. Even the idea that Pepa kept being picked up by the Blonde Elvis looking taxi cab driver that stocked literally EVERYTHING in his cab was over the top. I have been in a few cabs and have never had such visual stimulation.
ReplyDeleteCertainly this was not a comedy that I have ever viewed before, but I thought it was refreshing. The idea that Lucia, crazy as she was, took matters into her own hands and was going to off Ivan was a refreshing idea. Who wouldn't want to off a womanizer???
The spiked gazpacho was a bit much, however, I would like the recipe, sans barbituates.
Looking beyond our own narrowmindedness to way out there seems like medicine that the doctor should order routinely.
I agree with the slapstick comedy genre for this film but is was quite slow for an comedy. There were some moments that were somewhat entertaining like the taxi driver seeming to always be there to take Pepa where she needed to go. For the third ride even Pepa thought it was too much - " Oh no not you again". The characters personality was entertaining I would have to say.
ReplyDeleteDianne's comment on the interactions between the men and woman were dead on I thought. So there really isn't much more to say about that.
Again I agree with Dianne. I thought that Pepa was quite emotional to where as an American woman would have been out for more revenge I think. Maybe Spanish women have more of a complex if a man leaves them so Pepa did all that she could - at least earlier in the film - to get Ivan back. That changed as the movie progressed and then she had had enough.
The Spanish culture is definately "touchy-feely" and this is seen in the film. You know what though too there was a scene when Pepa was getting changed and she did not mind that there was another man in the roo - does this mean that Spanish women are more comfortable around men in this situation or could have been something else?
Interesting answer Dianne on the differences of Spanish American and Spanish European women. I agree with how you phrased your answer. People are different all over - it just depends on your own perspective how we each see things is what makes us who we are.
Dianne, what a detailed description of the film! Great work, and i am glad to see you bringing a lot of knowledge form our last class. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteI read your observation about Spanish women being very emotional and not being able to separate theirs and others personal spaces. I do believe that it is part of their culture and i kind of admired the freedom how these women expressed their feelings and emotions. But you are right, we are quick to notice these differences since we are brought up differently and in American society feelings are not" worn on your sleeve". But unlike you, I loved this film. It was easy going, funny and very predictable – that’s exactly what I liked about it. I felt like I did not have to remember previous events so I can make connections later, it was just a “smooth sailing”.
But the best part about this film was European setting. Just little things like kitchen set up and some of the decorations dwelled Europe. What a breath of fresh home air!
I really enjoyed your post. I agree that this movie could have been in the United States. Maybe the emotions of women in the US are not so extreme, but the frustration, anger, and violence when being jilted is definately the same. I never noticed before you mentioned it in your blog how "touchy-feely" and emotional women of the spanish culture are. I think this is a big difference from women in the U.S. So many women were taught back in the early 1900's to not cause a scene and keep their emotions to themselves that it has been hard to overcome those beliefs. I thought this movie was funny as it was intended to be.
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