High Heels

It's an admirable attempt, though a less than completely successful one. The film's disappointments lie not so much in Almodovar's controlled, respectful direction as in the strange gaps and displacements of his screenplay, which never seems to supply the scenes we most want to see. [20 Dec 1991]

A stylish but disappointing spoof which lacks the satiric gusto of director Pedro Almodovar's earlier works.

We get a mother-daughter murder melodrama even more farfetched than the Joan Crawford classic, Mildred Pierce, on which this would appear to be loosely based.

Mostly it's Paredes' imperious - then surprisingly generous - high-handedness that carries High Heels. [20 Dec 1991]

The story is stylishly filmed and acted with high spirits, but there's not much going on in many of its colorful shots.

High Heels becomes mired in its own best intentions - primary colors and all.

High Heels has no real mirth and not even enough energy to keep it lively.