The Flower of My Secret

The Flower of My Secret

8/10/1995 1h 46m 6.8/10

Overview

Middle-aged romance author Leo writes under a pseudonym, since she despises her own work. At home, her husband, who works overseas, is distant both physically and emotionally. As she reevaluates her life and writing, Leo is led to an unexpected relationship with Ángel, a sensitive newspaper editor.

Director

Pedro Almodóvar

Top Billed Cast

Carme Elias

Carme Elias

Betty

Kiti Mánver

Kiti Mánver

Manuela

Marisa Paredes

Marisa Paredes

Leo Macías

Rossy de Palma

Rossy de Palma

Rosa

Chus Lampreave

Chus Lampreave

Madre de Leo

Juan Echanove

Juan Echanove

Ángel

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

4/7/2024

7/10

Though I found there to be just a bit too much frenetic dialogue, this is still quite a funny evaluation of a failing relationship. It's "Leo" (Marisa Paredes) who has just gone off the boil a bit for her soldier husband "Paco" (Imanol Aris) whose career takes him from war zone to war zone with little time for her. What now ensues is a gradual character evolution for this author of romantic fiction who is conflicted by her affection, to an extent, for "Paco" whilst realising that that way madness lies and a new life is imperative. Now the thrust of the story is hardly innovative. She has a few character flaws of her own - she does like a bottle or two and to be fair to him, it's not like he has just taken up the military responsibilities he has always had. She also has a mother (Manuela Vargas) who might wear down the best of us, and after a while we begin to need more sustained comedy to help us escape the increasing melodrama. Usually Almodovar is better at providing that, but here - well not quite so much. That said, though, this features an engaging effort from an on-form and lively Paredes and her gay friend "Angel" (Juan Echanove) provides an effective foil now and again as this meanders, entertainingly enough, through the women's life of longing, passion and frustration. This is not a film I reckon I will recall for long, but it's a decent enough watch while it's on.

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