Abre los ojos (1997) 🥸

 

   Talking about crazy shit face! Also I'm glad to say this is the first Spanish speaking movie review ever🥳

   The film stars Eduardo Noriega as César, a wealthy playboy who is disfigured in a car accident. After that, he is ashamed of his face so he puts a mask on to cover his "bad luck". The film explores the themes of love, loss, identity and of course madness! 

César before (left) and after (right) the car accident with the mask on

   César is a complex and well-developed character. He is charming and charismatic, but he is also arrogant and self-centered. He is used to getting what he wants, and he does not take kindly to being rejected. After the accident, he is no longer the handsome and successful man he once was. He is now disfigured and alone. He struggles to cope with his new reality, and he begins to question his own identity.

Penélope Cruz as Sofía or maybe not

   Sofía is the girl César falls madly in love with, we can see for the first time he wants to do the right thing. But he flew into a rage after the accident, he starts thinking everyone hates him, including Sofía. For him, his appearance is the most important thing and not his personality nor those bounds he has created with his friend Pelayo or Sofia. Like I said, he idealizes the worst hell for himself.

   He suffocates the idea of living a life without his "beautiful face", therefore, he decided to spend his present fortune to rebuild his face. From then on, we viewers question ourselves, is this real? Madness and confusion led him to commit acts that neither in his wildest dreams nor in his worst nightmares would do, but in the blink of an eye reality can turn into another. What does a cryogenics company have to do with all this? Is he dreaming? Is this his present or his imaginary future? The reality is questionable in every sense.

   The thing with this movie is that it will make you think that it is not logical, every scene and detail is built that way to mess with you. When it comes to plot twists, this film takes the prize along with Shutter Island. It offers us a psychological thriller with a huge touch of science fiction like no other.

   It is considered to be one of the greatest works of director Alejandro Amenábar, bringing a message of self-reflection. It even has its own American remake with Tom Cruise.

Rate: 4/5

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A must watch if you like cult classic movies