Kika on DVD (1993)

A twist on the twisted!

Matti White from London, UK , 31/07/2006

Although I found this film rather confusing at the beginning, once it gets into its stride, it's a fantastic piece of cinema!

Almodóvar's use of bright colours and lots of light provide an interesting contrast to the dark subject matters in this fim, as does the incessantly cheerful Kika (Veronica Forque), this helps to provide a new and darkly comical take on murder, abuse, suicide and various other things! The rape scene in particular encapsulates the mood of the film perfectly, controversially portrayed in a slightly detatched way, with a touch of humour - this has been seen not as making light of the subject, but rather of Almodóvar's belief in the power of women. In this film, there are several Hitchcock references - at one point, the music from Psycho is used!!!

As always with Almodóvar, the costumes are fantastic, and the attention to detail is excellent.

However, I was disappointed that a few of the plot threads were left unresolved , particularly the true story of the past relationship between Andrea and Ramón.

In all, I think you need to have a very open mind when watching this film, and give it your full attention, as it could be easy to get the wrong impression from it - though I highly recommend it to any lovers of Almodóvar!

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Almodovar back on form

RJNeb2 [Highly rated reviewer] , 01/07/2006

Typically ramshackle Almodovar comedy-drama that certainly ranks as one of his more outrageous efforts. It may be filled with suicide, serial killers, voyeurs, a crusading reality TV journalist who has a camera strapped on her head, and quite possibly the longest rape scene in cinema history, yet somehow Almodovar contrives to make much of this very funny. He's helped considerably by the disarmingly sunny presence of Veronica Forque in the title role. It loses the plot a little towards the end, but this is still one of the director's most rawly enjoyable films.

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Wild, wacky, self-conscious - and a bit of let-down

Savage from London, England [Highly rated reviewer] , 04/10/2006

The third part of Almodovar's unoffical Victoria Abril trilogy, each focussing on an aspect of family life. 'Kika' is an improvement on 'Tacones lejanos', but, in itself, is far too concerned with whipping up the writer-director's trademark stylistic frenzy, that it fails to cohere properly. Plot strands are left to dangle, set-pieces are largely unmotivated (ie there simply for the effect) and characterisations come and go seemingly on a whim. You still get the splended production design and fizzy acting that you expect; you still get the absurdist sense of everything dancing just out of control, but you also get a sense that here, Almodovar himself has succumbed to the anarchy: there is nothing here beyond his own unformed ideas, jostling for attention like a crowd of sugar-high toddlers.

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Sparkling and fun

A customer from Thornbury , 21/09/2007

Kika is a real live wire lady, lovely and funny and full of life.

There's so much going on with this Spanish movie the action never stops, fun and frolics and some serious bits but not too many of those.

Recommended - much better than 'Y tu Mama Tambien'.

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Sparkling and fun

A customer from Thornbury , 21/09/2007

Kika is a real live wire lady, lovely and funny and full of life.

There's so much going on with this Spanish movie the action never stops, fun and frolics and some serious bits but not too many of those.

Recommended - much better than 'Y tu Mama Tambien'.

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Delicious melodrama

Zamy from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 15/04/2008

You need to get into the spirit of Aldomovar to fully enjoy his over the top satire. Once you have set any preconceptions aside and accept the melodramatic format this provides a jolly romp around the usual suspects. Great direction, design and costumes and a film that is wearing well despite the passage of time.

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