I’M SO EXCITED

Note: In case you missed it, I’ve found myself in a neat situation of being both a few reviews behind, and out-of-town for a few days. So to keep the line moving, I thought I’d offer up some random thoughts about a few films watched in recent weeks. Hope y’all don’t mind the break in the routine, things will go back to normal around here on Tuesday. – RM

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of conversations about great directors and the films they make. The central question has always been whether or not a film was to be judged on its own merit, or whether it should be judged against the directors’ prior efforts. Ordinarily, I lean on the side of the former. I find that even a lesser effort from an amazing artist is still better than at least half of the crummy titles filling the multiplex on any given weekend. However, when I recently watched I’M SO EXCITED!, I finally fell prey to judging it against all other Pedro Almodovar films I’d seen.

By that yardstick, I found the film lacking. It wasn’t as absurd as much of what I’ve seen in his work. It wasn’t as wildly melodramatic either. There wasn’t the rawness of ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER, nor the darkness of TALK TO HER. Parts of it were evocative of TIE ME UP! and WOMAN ON THE VERGE, but not enough to feel like a return to his roots. There were flourishes of familiarity, but not enough to compliment what I knew and loved.

But does that make the film a failure? Well, no – not really.

If you gave me the cost of admission and made me choose between this film, TURBO, THE LONE RANGER, and THIS IS THE END, I still choose this film. It’s handsome, it gloriously absurd, it features some great scenes and sequences. Specifically, one of the final scenes – when the plane finally touches down. I can easily say that it’s one of the most memorable, thoughtful, and elegant sequences that Pedro Almodovar has ever filmed. While it’s not quite worth the price of admission all on its own, it is certainly a sign that even “lesser efforts” by talented directors come with moments of greatness.

If nothing else, it was great to see what Almodovar could get from Raúl Arévalo and Carlos Areces, both of who charmed the heck out of me in GHOST GRADUATION at TIFF last year. Much of the rest of the cast are made up of Almodovar alums – including Javier Cámara who rounds out the trio of stewards. Arévalo and Arece must have felt like the new kids at school surrounded by all of these familiar faces – but if they did, they never showed it.

If nothing else, the film is worth a look for the full lip-synch performance of its title track. That routine will never not put me in a good mood.

I’M SO EXCITED will never be mentioned as one of Almodovar’s greats, but I feel wrong dismissing it for that reason. The film comes with a surprising level of oxygen for a story told almost entirely in one tiny setting. Were it made by any other director, I could well be calling it a goofy, charming, joy.

I feel I should cling to that; remembering it for the level of craft it brings instead of dismissing it for the weight that it doesn’t. I’m very glass-half-full that way.

What did you think? Please leave comments with your thoughts and reactions on I’M SO EXCITED!