Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown 1988 Criterion CollectionVoice actress Pepa is involved with a married man, Ivan, of whom she constantly daydreams and lusts after. In a convoluted series of events that will catch up with our protagonists later on in the film, Pepa traces his movements and discovers that he’s involved with another, quite out of her head lover, with whom he has a grown up son, Carlos. Carlos and his overbearing fiancee arrive at Pepa’s apartment with the intention of subletting the place, unawares that their potential landlord is one of his father’s many lovers. Meanwhile, Pepa’s close friend, Candela drops by the apartment in a panic, claiming she’s on the run from the police who believe she’s mixed up in some sort of terrorist plot and needs a place to hideout. Essentially through a series of missteps, improbable coincidence and misunderstandings, these characters all comedically bounce off one another until all hell proverbially breaks loose.

"Women" is a colorful, light-hearted comedy that riffs on Hitchcockian thrillers and 1950s melodrama, paying homage to Almodovar's favorite old films by laughing with them and not at them.

Director: Pedro Almodovar
Cast: Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Julieta Serrano
Country: Spain
Genre: Comedy, Drama

BD50 + DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:29:19 | 40.8 Gb + 6.89 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Espanol
Subtitles: English

Extras:

Pedro Almodovar - in this new video interview, Pedro Almodovar discusses his approach to filming a comedy and its function as a representation of reality, as well as the shooting of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (17 min, 1080p).

Carmen Maura - in this new video interview, actress Carmen Maura (Pepa) recalls how she entered the film business and discusses her contribution to Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2016. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (20 min, 1080p).

Agustin Almodovar - in this new video interview, producer Agustin Almodovar discusses his unique relationship with his brother, Pedro Almodovar, and the stylization and unique themes of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in Madrid in 2016. In Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (17 min, 1080p).

Richard Pena - in this new video interview, film professor and former programmer of the New York Film Festival Richard Pena discusses the key themes and visual style of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

Trailer - original Orion Pictures trailer. In English and Spanish, with printed English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).