Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Year: 1988

Runtime: 90 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

DramaComedy

After her lover abruptly leaves her, Pepa Marcos finds her life thrown into disarray. Seeking answers, she’s drawn into a series of increasingly bizarre events and encounters a collection of unusual people. Among them is Ivan’s son and a group holding her best friend captive. As Pepa struggles to understand what’s happening, she finds herself in the middle of a chaotic and surreal situation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)

Trace every key event in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Recording Session for *Johnny Guitar*

Pepa and Iván, both talented voice actors, contribute their voices to the classic film *Johnny Guitar*, which features the iconic Joan Crawford. This recording session symbolizes the merging of their professional lives amidst personal turmoil.

2

Iván Leaves Pepa

Pepa's stability shatters when Iván unexpectedly leaves her, plummeting her into despair. His sudden departure not only disrupts her emotional state but also affects her professional commitments.

3

Missed Recording Session

Due to her emotional turmoil, Pepa misses a crucial recording session with Iván. This further adds to her sense of chaos and disconnect from her work and the world around her.

4

Frantic Messages from Candela

Returning home, Pepa is bombarded with frantic messages from her friend Candela. Feeling overwhelmed, she vents her frustration by violently disconnecting her phone, symbolizing her need to escape the turmoil.

5

Preparing Drugged Gazpacho

In a desperate bid to win Iván back, Pepa prepares gazpacho laced with sleeping pills. This act highlights her longing and the lengths she is willing to go to salvage their relationship.

6

Visit from Carlos and Marisa

Pepa is interrupted by Carlos and his fiancée Marisa, who are there to inspect her penthouse. This encounter complicates her situation further, as she discovers that Carlos is Iván's son from a prior marriage.

7

Marisa Falls Asleep

Marisa unwittingly consumes the drugged gazpacho and falls asleep for hours. This unexpected turn of events adds to the chaos in Pepa's already tumultuous day.

8

Candela's Suicide Attempt

Feeling neglected, Candela makes a distressing suicide attempt but is rescued just in time. Her chaotic life intertwines with Pepa's as she reveals her own struggles involving a dangerous man.

9

Seeking Legal Advice

Pepa seeks help from Paulina, Iván's divorce lawyer. Their meeting takes a strange turn as Paulina's cryptic behavior suggests her deeper connection to Iván, leaving Pepa more confused.

10

Carlos Calls the Police

Amidst all the chaos, Carlos attempts to call the police after discovering a hijacking plot. Balancing this urgent situation with a sleeping Marisa and distressed Candela proves to be overwhelming.

11

Iván's Surprising Arrival

Iván's arrival at Pepa's home takes her by surprise, leading to an emotional outburst where she tosses out his belongings in frustration. This act is a manifestation of her heartbreak and disappointment.

12

Confrontation with Lucía

Lucía confronts Pepa about Iván, heightening the emotional tension. This encounter underscores the complexities of love, betrayal, and rivalry as they navigate their interwoven lives.

13

Climactic Airport Scene

In a dramatic climax at the airport, Lucía aims a gun at Iván and Paulina, signaling an impending threat. Pepa, recognizing the perilous situation, musters her courage and decides to take action.

Airport
14

Pepa Chooses to Leave Iván

After the chaos subsides, Pepa makes the pivotal decision to leave Iván behind. This marks a significant turning point in her life as she chooses to confront her reality rather than hold onto the past.

15

Pepa's Life-Altering Secret

In a moment of clarity, Pepa reveals her pregnancy to Marisa. This revelation adds a new dimension to her tumultuous life, signifying hope and the prospect of new beginnings amidst the chaos.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 17:45

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Farce of Overlapping Lives like in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Stories where a single event triggers a chaotic cascade of absurd encounters.If you enjoyed the chaotic, interconnected storytelling of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, this section highlights movies with similar farcical plots. Discover other stories where misunderstandings and chance encounters create a comedic domino effect, drawing together a cast of quirky characters in a single, frantic narrative.

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Movies with Whimsical Despair like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

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The narrative journey typically follows a protagonist undergoing a significant emotional collapse or life-altering event. Instead of a purely tragic or dramatic treatment, the story embraces surreal elements, eccentric supporting characters, and comedic situations to explore the protagonist's inner world. The resolution is often bittersweet, offering a sense of clarity or self-preservation rather than simple happiness, acknowledging the pain while celebrating the absurdity of life.

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These films are united by their unique tonal balance. They successfully mix medium emotional weight with a whimsical or absurd presentation, creating an experience that is thoughtful and poignant without being overly heavy. The pairing of genuine sadness with a playful, often fast-paced execution is the defining characteristic.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

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