Has this thread been done? I gave it a cursory search but couldn't see one.

FINALLY got around to seeing this last night, and it was well worth the wait. A wonderfully twisted, fable-like narrative, an incredible score, and the kind of beautiful and unique visuals and design you'd expect from Almodovar. An audacious bit of storytelling all round. I love how he can slip from subtle absurdity to bracing darkness in an instant, while retaining an almost-comedy that runs to the blackest pitch.

Great cast, but praise has to be singled out for Elena Anaya. Not only a fantastic performance, but an almost ethereally beautiful actress (which is both weird and obvious given the circumstances of the story). Seriously, she was completely mesmerising. I remembered her from 'Sex and Lucia', which she was also great in. Nice to see Banderas given a role he could fully inhabit too.