Background"I'm So Excited!" is a Spanish comedy film released in 2013, directed by the well-known Pedro Almodóvar. Likewise known as "Los amantes pasajeros" in Spanish, the movie bets the background of a looming disaster on an aircraft. It's mainly considered as Almodóvar's many specific funny, integrating a mix of his signature style - garish colors, sexual fluidity, melodrama and catchy music.
Plot SynopsisThe story revolves around Peninsula Flight 2549, which finds itself in serious difficulty after a reckless mishap on the ground triggers the landing gear to breakdown. With the aircraft not able to land safely, the pilots, Joserra (Javier Cámara) and Alex (Antonio de la Torre), aimlessly circle over Spain, buying time to find an option while trying to control their panic.
In the economy class, all passengers are drugged into unconsciousness by the flight attendants to prevent panic. However, top-notch guests - a mixed bag of wealthy business people, gunman, virgins, mistresses and psychics - are awake and must confront the potential disaster. They deal with the tension in their ways, resulting in a series of comic and dramatic exchanges that spill tricks and bare the characters' souls.
Characters and PerformancesThe three flamboyant flight attendants - Joserra, Fajas (Carlos Areces) and Ulloa (Raúl Arévalo) are central to the plot. They sidetrack travelers with campy humor, drink-spiked, lip-sync dance numbers (consisting of the renowned tune "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters, which provides the film its name) and sexual escapades.
Other substantial characters consist of an entrepreneur harboring criminal secrets (Guillermo Toledo), a virgin psychic (Lola Dueñas), a rule's better half (Cecilia Roth) and an actor with a troubled life (Guillermo Toledo) among others. Each provides excellent, excessive efficiencies, breathing life into Almodóvar's vibrant script.
Themes and Style"I'm So Excited!" presents a mix of lighter funny and much deeper, societal commentary. Almodóvar uses the possibly deadly crisis to instigate admitting behavior among the characters, discovering lies, guilt, secret love affairs and unhappy desires. The restricted airplane interior ends up being a melting pot of tricks and desires, underlined by the imminent possibility of death.
Almodóvar is renowned for his movies' unique visual design. "I'm So Excited!" does not dissatisfy in this regard, featuring vibrant colors, comprehensive mise-en-scene and distinct closets. At the exact same time, Almodóvar's refreshingly frank expeditions of sexuality; whether it's the gay love triangle including the pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant, or the virgin psychic's mission to lose her virginity, lead the way towards the director's special, layered storytelling.
Conclusion"I'm So Excited!" is a really Almodóvar affair that blends melodrama, provocative funny and societal undertones into a more unconventional survival story. While not among the director's most critically-acclaimed movies, it's adventurous and vibrant storytelling make it distinct-- a trip overflowing with tricks, desires, humor, and an array of dramatic revelations.
Top Cast
