Strange Way of Life

Director: Pedro Almadovar

18 June 2023

See

Him: Jake (Ethan Hawke) and Silva (Pedro Pascal) were cowboys t0gether once. 25 years later one is a sheriff and the other seeks clemency for his son whose in trouble with the law.

Her: Strange Way of Life is a 30 minute long film that tells the story of two cowboys who used to be lovers 20 years ago and are now on the verge of becoming rivals.

Think

Him: I hear it said that Pedro Almadovar was offered Brokeback Mountain. I’m glad he did this short instead and Ang Lee was the director. 

Her: Strange Way of Life it is indeed and Almodovar’s signature style is all over it. But despite all of the key elements of a promising film being present it seemed like the film as a whole did not deliver to the expected level of satisfaction. The other things I’ve noticed is Sant Laurent’s involved which made me wonder whether they had too much influence over the direction. For a marketing film it is not too bad.

Feel

Him: Slapstick is not my vibe. I don’t think the absurdity could be sustained for a full feature film. But the packed out State theatre seemed to enjoy it. I cry when I hear Gustavo Santaolla’s Wings, or read Close Range. This is the other way to take stories of heartache, and release that tension with a laugh.

Her: Just like most of the people at the State Theatre, I was pumped to see this film. Always a mistake. And even though it was not a disappointment it also did not leave the usual impression that Almadovar’s films make.