Only Pedro Almodóvar could take the film noir genre and transform it into a bold statement from queer cinema. Bad Education is Vertigo if the Hitchcock classic was filmed by the likes of John Walters. A vibrant, dazzling mystery with a transgender character at its centre. This is a film which pulls the viewer into this hyperreal world.
However, at the same time it acts as a reminder of the all too real horrors of the Catholic Church sex abuse cases and its lasting after effects. It is not to say that Bad Education is a difficult and depressing film to watch, its quite the opposite. The film is littered with light-hearted, comedic moments with amusing lines of dialogue delivered exceptional well by the film’s main actor, Gael García Bernal.
In typical Almodóvar fashion, he weaves the narrative between three different time periods. Which on the first viewing can be a little tricky to follow. The film opens in 1980 with Enrique (Fele Martínez), a successful young film director in the search of his next movie.
“The film is littered with light-hearted, comedic moments with amusing lines of dialogue delivered exceptional well by the film’s main actor, Gael García Bernal.”
His prayers may have been answered when Ignacio Rodriguez (Gael García Bernal) delivers a short story called ‘The Visit’, drawing on his school experiences. It turns out that Ignacio and Enrique used to be close friends and lovers at school. However, Enrique doesn’t recognise his old friend who is now going by the name Ángel Andrade (although, it might be down to Ángel’s beard).
‘The Visit’ is a story that is set in 1977, and follows a transgender woman called Zahara (Bernal). Zahara returns to her old school in order to confront Father Manolo (Daniel Giménez Cacho), who abused her when she was a boy. Within the film world of ‘The Visit’ we discover that Zahara has also penned a short story called ‘The Visit’. Which is set in 1964 and deals with a young boy who is abused by a priest. How much of Ignacio’s story is based on the truth, and how much is fiction is something that we are left to decide.
Enrique decides to adapt Ignacio’s story into a film, but Ángel’s condition is that he plays the part of Zahara. Enrique remains skeptical, as there’s something about Ángel that doesn’t add up. And soon more skeletons begin to tumble out of the closet as the past finally catches up with both the characters.
As mentioned, the plot may seem confusing at first, however like Vertigo we are drawn back to Bad Education for repeat viewings. Bad Education is a very complex and layered film which offers more each time, making it a truly absorbing experience.
“We have to admire Almodóvar for taking on the Catholic Church for all of its corruption and hypocrisy.”
In an interview with Yon Motskin, Almodóvar describes Bad Education as a film which “tells three stories, about three concentric triangles, which in the end turn out to be just one story. It’s like a triangle that becomes another triangle and another triangle in the future. It’s like a triangle that becomes a vicious circle.”
The film’s main three leads all give extraordinary performances. However, it is Gael Garcia Bernal who really shines in this film. With the character of Zahara, we are reminded of Classic Hollywood actresses such as Barbara Stanwyck or Joan Crawford. These were women who were catty, sassy and powerful women that knew what they wanted, and didn’t allow anything to get in their way. Just like Zahara. Bernal becomes lost in the three characters he plays. Bringing a level of depth and reality to each one of them.
We have to admire Almodóvar for taking on the Catholic Church for all of its corruption and hypocrisy. Cacho’s Father Manolo is a true villain, who takes advantage of young, trusting boys. However, there is a sense that Ignacio will never quite get the justice he deserves. Which is a bold decision by Almodóvar who paints a picture that the world is grey rather than straightforward black and white. Unfortunately, many abusers will go unpunished and victims will continue to suffer in silence.
There’s a tender beauty to the scenes set in the 60s. But in typical Almodóvar fashion there is an underlying black comedy streak that runs throughout them. The scene where the infatuated Father Manolo makes Enrique sing ‘Moon River’ for him, is particularly comedic and campish at the same time.
“Bad Education helps to present us with very flawed, and very real people who are as layered as the film’s plot.”
However, there is no down playing the horror that quickly unfolds when Manolo tries to force himself on Enrique. This one scene shows how Almodóvar can masterfully blend the elements of tragedy and comedy at the same time.
Almodóvar is a director who can capture the complexity of human emotions. Especially our entwined feelings of lust and love. With Bad Education he reveals just how messy these entwined emotions can become and how they can cloud our best judgements. The film is also a bittersweet reflection on memory and coming to terms with our past.
Most importantly, Bad Education helps to present us with very flawed, and very real people who are as layered as the film’s plot. As Almodóvar told the New York Times Magazine, “My goal as a writer is to have empathy for all characters. In all my films, I have a tendency to redeem my characters. I love characters who are crazy in love and will give their life to passion, even if they burn in hell.”
Discover more from Filmotomy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
