PEARLS FROM A CONTROVERSIAL MASTER : "ATAME"

The name “Pedro Almodovar” goes hand in hand with the term “controversial” - even the most novice cinephile, I suspect, knows this already. Even so, as I start this week’s work on this rather unusual (to say the least) director, I feel the need to add a disclaimer. None of this guy’s work is for the faint of heart… And nothing, I mean nothing is sacred. Nevertheless, Almodovar starts small in this film. Atame is a psychological thriller, no doubt whatsoever on that count. But, when looked at up close, it is also a stinging criticism of the institution of marriage, or rather some marriages. Let’s take a look at the storyline first, shall we?
Ricky (a young and VERY dishy Antonio Banderas) has spent most of his life in homes and institutions, the latest and longest stretch being in a mental institution. However, years later the authorities are convinced that he is now cured, and turn him loose on society to build his own life. Ricky is quite clear in his mind what he must do: get married, find a job, have kids. He even knows who he’s going to marry; Marina, a porn actress with known drug connections who he idolizes. This may seem like a pipe-dream to most people, but for Ricky it is as real as the nose on his face. On his very first day out of the institution, he heads off to the studio, follows Marina home, steals a set of her house-keys, abducts her and explains that he has only done this so they could get to know each other better, after this, they will obviously get married. Marina struggles against this captivity as best she can but if Ricky is a very disturbed young man, stupid he most definitely is not. And then something funny begins to happen… The more time Marina spends with him, strangely and inexplicably, the more loveable Ricky begins to seem… Could this be the start of a beautiful friendship?
Ok, so, we all actually know marriages like this. One side may well be completely miserable with her lot on level, and yet it is as if they have been bound hand and foot; they cannot seem to be able to leave… Many excuses are found for the phenomenon, I am staying for the children’s sake, he/she loves me really… And yet the marriage may be closing in on one of the parties like a noose around their necks… Or, if love does actually exist in the relationship on some level, it could well be some kind of “Stockholm Syndrome”, born of spending so much time with your “captor”. This is a tough one to explain to the western world, but the further east you go, the commoner this way of thinking becomes. In all “macho” societies the woman is expected to marry. She is expected to take care of her husband and children. Socially speaking, there is no other way round it; living on your own, not marrying at all or just living together with someone is considered quite… Well… And so, women go into the marriages often “gagged and bound”.
Almodovar gives the feeling of slow suffocation with such great success that I personally had great trouble watching the film to the end. Every attempt at escape on Marina’s part is foreseen and blocked by Ricky; he is everywhere there really seems no escape from the man. And if you had any doubt at all about the true aim of the film, one iconic scene where the couple (for reasons you can watch the film and find out if you’re curious) have to change apartments and Ricky picks Marina, tied hand and foot and gagged too, up in his arms and carries her as if over the threshold, with the long ropes binding her trailing behind them like a bridal train, says it all… I think you should really grit your teeth and watch this one, even though you may have to pause and “catch your breath” a few times. It is a very, very intelligent film and very well done.