#REVIEW: “I’M SO EXCITED”

On a flight from Spain bound for Mexico, a small group of Business Class Passengers are forced to confront their deepest, darkest sex secrets together together with a pair of Pilots and a Trio of sassy male Flight Attendants.  Upon learning that the plane is experiencing landing gear issues, the Flight Attendants: Ulloa (Raúl Arévalo), Joserra (Javier Cámara) and Fajas (Carlos Areces) take control of the matter by sedating all Passengers in Economy Class with drugs, and alcohol for the Business Class.  Despite their own individual paths en route to their singular destination,  we meet an eclectic group of Characters ranging from a Virgin in Bruna (Lola Dueñas),  a Man of multiple Lovers in Ricardo (Gullermo Toledo), to  a World-famous Dominatrix in Norma (Cecilia Roth).  All are pared down to their vulernable Valencia Cocktail-filled cores amidst the ever prevalent face of death.

I’m So Excited is completely over-the-top and although pretty much implausible, it undeniably is entertaining – chalk full of lewd dialogue and sexual fluidity… if that’s your thing.  Those Pedro Almodóvar Fans who are expecting the weightiness of Volver or Talk to Her might be thrown for a bit of a loop, but longtime Admirers of the Filmmaker will remember that some of his earlier work actually was rooted in Comedy.   His Films are drawn to the perverse and in this regard, the spirit of I’m So Excited will connect to his most ardent of Supporters.

A litany of running Storylines among this impeccably-talented Ensemble proves somewhat challenging in drawing-in some focus here.  Almodóvar has the challenge of taking a variety of Characters – admittedly none too lovable on paper – creating an atmosphere so festive and colourful that we almost forget that this plane just might soon crash.  The focus becomes the Characters reconciling their own personal challenges, each peeling layer upon layer off the other, more than this being a Story about surviving.

A Choreographed Dance Sequence with the Trio of Flight Attendants to the Titular Pointer Sisters Song is the Film’s defining moment –  deliciously uncomfortable to watch.  Shining brightest of all here are beloved  Alumni Cámara (Talk to Her, Bad Education) and Roth (All About My Mother), who both take their Characters and declare fun with them.  Also a delight is Arévalo who fully gets rid of any inhibitions here, while Blanca Suárez as Ruth (Flame to Ricardo), is an absolute vision of Beauty and elegance, reminding us that Almodóvar truly understands Women. Household Names Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas who can attribute much of their success stateside to Almodóvar, show their support with quick Cameos early!

Mongrel Media releases I’m So Excited in Toronto and Vancouver on Friday, July 5, 2013 and Friday, July 19, 2013 in Montreal, with additional Canadian Cities to come throughout the Summer.