Director: Pedro Almodovar.
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, Javier Camara, Pepa Charro, Lola Duenas.
Running Time: 90 minutes.
Certificate: 15.
Synopsis: When a technical failure puts the lives of those on-board Peninsula 2549 in danger, the crew try and forget their own problems to make the flight as enjoyable as possible for their passengers – no matter how questionable the method.
According to the fascinating abundance of politico-metaphorical press notes, I’M SO EXCITED transports us to ‘an abstract space’ as we circle Toledo for a full 90 minutes of facile bum jokes and retching which, we are informed, is imbued with a rich and mythological significance. Almodovar’s vision for the film intrigues, allures, seduces – and then it abandons you like Ariadne left stripped and deeply dissatisfied in an aircraft cubicle, circling Spanish airspace somewhere over Toledo. The Mile High club has an appeal which rarely follows through with experience. The film sadly fails to debunk the theory.
Starting off promisingly enough, the opening dialogue is fuel-injected with fast paced and witty innuendo that’s a masterpiece when the beautiful language of love is delivered by two red-hot Hollywood A-listers. We board our flight to the New World (Mexico) and anticipate a liberating journey of tequila propositioned promiscuity – sorry, survival. Due to a technical glitch caused by the human hand of negligence, the passengers on board Peninsula Flight 2549 are faced with uncertain danger which releases a natural state of panic and catharsis.
The inhibitions of the chattering classes cut fast and lose as a bevy of camp cabaret stewards dispense an 80s inspired concoction of champagne and mescaline to an eclectic bunch of absurd and uptight characters. Clearly a nod to the democratic élan of La Movida, Almodovar ventures to divest the metaphorical middle classes of sobriety and artifice by awakening their sexual curiosity, while the majority voters in economy class are maxed out on sleeping meds to silence protest and unrest.
Thus far, this is a genius concept which, had it followed the same captivating mix of humour, pathos, and absurdity concurrent with the brilliant, transgressive ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER, would have created a colourfully comedic exploration into social commentary. Sadly, this craft is not steered along the same flight path and we are redirected to a predictable and fatuous display of fellatio-fixated folly and cockpit foolery set on loop. One can only liken this to waiting at left luggage and watching the same rainbow-bound holdalls rotating and left unclaimed on the conveyor belt at Alicante airport – Almodovar for the masses indeed.
I’M SO EXCITED is released in UK cinemas on May 3rd.
