Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown 1988
Directed by
Pedro Almodóvar
Made by
Orion Classics
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Pepa and Iván are talented voice actors working in the dubbing industry, recently lending their voices to the classic film Johnny Guitar, featuring Joan Crawford and Sterling Hayden. However, Pepa’s world is turned upside down when Iván unexpectedly leaves her, plunging her into despair. After a late start caused by her emotional turmoil, Pepa misses an important recording session with Iván, who leaves her a voicemail urging her to pack his belongings for pickup.
Upon returning home, Pepa is inundated with frantic messages from her friend, Candela. Frustrated by the chaos, she violently disconnects her phone, throwing it onto her terrace. In a desperate attempt to entice Iván back, she prepares gazpacho laced with sleeping pills, hoping to catch his attention during his anticipated visit. Just as she is about to explain her troubles to Candela, Carlos shows up with his snobbish fiancée, Marisa, who coincidentally is there to inspect Pepa’s penthouse as part of their apartment hunt.
As the day unfolds, Pepa learns that Carlos is Iván’s son from his previous marriage to Lucía, which complicates matters further. While Pepa mourns her relationship, Marisa unwittingly consumes the drugged gazpacho, falling asleep for hours. Meanwhile, Candela, feeling ignored and despondent, makes a suicide attempt but is saved just in time. She reveals her own chaotic story—having unintentionally become involved with a Shiite man who has ties to a terrorist cell planning to hijack a flight that evening.
In the midst of this turmoil, Pepa seeks legal advice from Paulina, the lawyer handling Iván’s divorce, only to be met with her peculiar behavior and cryptic hints about her connection to Iván. Discovering the hijacking plot, Carlos attempts to call the police to intervene while juggling the chaotic situation with Marisa still asleep and Candela in distress.
As tensions rise, Iván’s arrival takes Pepa by surprise, leading to her dramatic disposal of his belongings in frustration. With further chaos involving the police, who are drawn to the scene after Carlos tries to alert them, Pepa finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in Lucía confronting her about Iván.
In a climactic encounter at the airport, Lucía aims a gun at Iván and Paulina, intending to sabotage their escape. Pepa, realizing the impending danger, takes action. Yet, as the dust settles, she chooses to leave Iván behind and returns home to confront her reality. In a moment of peace amid the confusion, she finally shares her life-altering secret with Marisa: she is pregnant, a revelation that brings a new layer to her tumultuous experience.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Characters
Explore all characters from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Pepa
Pepa is a talented and vibrant voice actress navigating the turmoil of a broken relationship. Her emotional depth reveals both resilience and vulnerability, embodying the struggles of countless women in similar predicaments. Throughout the film, she transforms from despair to self-realization as she grapples with her future.
Iván
Iván is the catalyst for Pepa's turmoil, his abrupt departure leading to a spiral of chaos. His character embodies complexity as he juggles his past and present relationships. His actions drive much of the plot's tension as both an antagonist and a figure of unresolved love.
Carlos
Carlos, as Iván's son, adds layers to Pepa's emotional narrative, complicating her feelings of loss. His introduction brings additional confusion and conflict, as he navigates the relationship between his father and Pepa. Carlos ultimately finds himself caught in a whirlwind of events beyond his control.
Candela
Candela serves as Pepa's frantic friend, whose own crisis adds urgency to the story. Her character reveals the struggles of female friendship in difficult times, as she battles her own emotional demons while trying to support Pepa. Candela's arc highlights themes of desperation and resilience.
Marisa
Marisa, with her snobbish demeanor, contrasts sharply with Pepa and complicates the plot. As Iván’s fiancée, she remains blissfully unaware of the chaos surrounding her, providing a comedic foil to Pepa’s emotional struggles. Her character represents societal expectations and misunderstandings.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Settings
Learn where and when Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The film unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the societal norms and cultural challenges of its era. This period is marked by shifting relationship dynamics, particularly in romantic partnerships and the role of women in the workforce.
Location
Pepa's penthouse, Airport
Pepa's penthouse is a vibrant, chaotic space that serves as the backdrop for her emotional turmoil. It symbolizes her attempts to maintain control over her life while juggling relationships and career challenges. The airport becomes a pivotal location in the climax, representing escape and confrontation.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Themes
Discover the main themes in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
💔
Heartbreak
Heartbreak is central to Pepa's journey as she grapples with her sudden emotional upheaval after Iván's departure. Her struggles reveal deeper issues of love and betrayal, shedding light on how personal relationships can drastically alter one's life path.
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Crisis
The film is laden with crises—from Pepa's chaotic day filled with missed opportunities to Candela's desperate situation. These escalating events highlight the unpredictability of life and the consequences of our choices, ultimately leading to moments of dramatic tension and resolution.
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Pregnancy
Pregnancy emerges as a significant theme as Pepa confronts her reality and the unexpected turn of her life. This revelation not only adds emotional depth to her character but also symbolizes new beginnings amidst chaos, forcing her to reevaluate her priorities.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the bustling heart of Madrid’s dubbing studios, Pepa Marcos spends her days giving voice to classic films, sharing a cramped office with Iván, a fellow talent whose smooth delivery masks a restless spirit. Their partnership, both professional and personal, feels as finely tuned as the movies they help translate—until a sudden disappearance leaves Pepa clutching an empty space that reverberates louder than any microphone.
Thrown into a strange new rhythm, Pepa must navigate a day that spirals outward, pulling in a cast of vividly eccentric acquaintances. Her longtime friend Candela drifts in and out of her life like a half‑remembered line, while a charismatic stranger, Carlos, arrives bearing a hidden connection that blurs the lines between past and present. An aloof fiancée, Marisa, steps through the doorway of Pepa’s penthouse, her poised demeanor clashing with the apartment’s growing disarray, and a sharp‑tongued lawyer, Paulina, offers counsel that feels more cryptic than comforting. Even Lucía, a figure from Iván’s history, lingers on the periphery, her presence a reminder that the past refuses to stay silent.
The film unfolds with a kaleidoscopic blend of humor and melancholy, each scene painted in bright, surreal colors that echo the absurdity of everyday life in a city that never stops speaking. Pepa’s world is a tapestry of overlapping dialogues, spontaneous confessions, and the lingering echo of a love that vanished without warning. As the day stretches, the walls of her apartment become a stage for bewildering encounters, each one teasing the line between reality and performance.
Amid the chaos, Pepa carries a quiet revelation that hints at a future beyond the turbulence—a secret that could reshape her sense of self and the relationships that orbit her. The atmosphere remains charged with anticipation, inviting the audience to wonder how this delicate balance of voices, desires, and unexpected visitors will ultimately resolve.
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