What Have I Done To Deserve This? (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #43 extract: What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1984)

What Have I Done to Deserve This? is a pretty incredible film that really took me by surprise. More intensely existentially driven than other Almodóvar films that I have seen, this follows a woman whose life is comprised of only dead ends. Realising the intricate network of meaningless nothings that are brilliantly weaved into this script, yet never seeing our main character cry out to the powers that control her life, leaves this a tragedy that is emphasised by a journey towards destructive catharsis. 

The sky is not completely black in this film, however. Here, Almodóvar, as always, uses narrative to show compassion for those who lead broken lives in a broken world, but somehow manage to keep things together. And such is the final harmonious note of a film that deeply resonates. Highly recommended.