Oh dear what was everyone thinking of when they made Nine – the money? Its not very often that I walk out of a film but this was the second time in about ten years.

All the ingredients must have sounded right – Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Anthony Mingella etc. However the they must have been reading the wrong recipe.

Most of the story does not make sense, it is obvious the singing was added post-production, the ‘story’ looks like a poorly stitched together pastiche of ideas from other films.

Dreadful, dire, dull and dreary – don’t go.

Almodovar’s films have similar themes – lost identities, women with secrets, unusual relationship: almost a formula in fact. It is no surprise then that in Broken Embraces similar themes are evident. However it is different from his earlier works as it is somewhat less frenetic, perhaps more reflective and an easier storyline to follow.

Broken Embraces is a mature film from a mature director. Also it is not just Penolope Cruz, good as she is, as ever the film relies on an ensemble particularly Lluis Homar. If you’re not sure about Almodovar, this might be the film to change your mind.