# Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

> 1988 film by Pedro Almodóvar

**Wikidata**: [Q643283](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q643283)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_on_the_Verge_of_a_Nervous_Breakdown)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown

## Summary
*Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* is a 1988 black comedy film directed by Pedro Almodóvar, produced by the Spanish company El Deseo, and starring Carmen Maura. It is one of Almodóvar’s most acclaimed works, blending dark humor with melodrama, and won the European Film Award for Best Actress for Maura in 1988.

## Key Facts
- **Title (original Spanish):** *Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios*
- **Director:** Pedro Almodóvar
- **Production company:** El Deseo (founded June 14, 1985, based in Spain)
- **Genre:** Black comedy film
- **Release dates:** Premiered on March 14, 1988, with subsequent releases in multiple countries through 1992 (e.g., March 25, 1988; September 2, 1988; December 25, 1988)
- **Starring:** Carmen Maura (Spanish actress, born 1945)
- **Awards:** Carmen Maura won the European Film Award for Best Actress on November 26, 1988
- **Preceded by:** *Twisted Obsession* (1989 film by Fernando Trueba)
- **Country of origin:** Spain
- **Wikidata sitelinks:** 37 language editions
- **Wikipedia title:** *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*

## FAQs

**Who directed *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown*?**
The film was directed by Pedro Almodóvar, a renowned Spanish filmmaker known for his vibrant, emotionally charged narratives.

**What is the original Spanish title of the film?**
The original title is *Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios*, which translates directly to the English title.

**When was the film first released?**
It premiered on March 14, 1988, with subsequent international releases throughout 1988 and 1989.

**Which actress won an award for her role in the film?**
Carmen Maura won the European Film Award for Best Actress in 1988 for her performance.

**What genre does the film belong to?**
It is classified as a black comedy, blending humor with darker, more dramatic themes.

**Which company produced the film?**
El Deseo, a Spanish production company founded in 1985, produced the film.

**Is the film connected to any other notable works?**
It is succeeded by *Twisted Obsession* (1989), a film by Fernando Trueba, though the two are not directly related in content.

## Why It Matters
*Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* is a landmark in Spanish cinema, showcasing Pedro Almodóvar’s signature style—vibrant visuals, complex female characters, and a mix of comedy and pathos. The film’s success helped solidify Almodóvar’s international reputation and brought attention to Spanish cinema in the global market. Carmen Maura’s award-winning performance highlighted the depth of talent in Spain’s acting community, while the film’s themes of emotional turmoil and resilience resonated widely. As a product of El Deseo, it also marked the early success of Almodóvar’s own production company, which would go on to produce many of his later works.

## Notable For
- **Award-winning performance:** Carmen Maura’s European Film Award for Best Actress (1988).
- **Cultural impact:** One of the most internationally recognized Spanish films of the late 20th century.
- **Genre-defining:** A prime example of black comedy in cinema, blending humor with melodrama.
- **Production legacy:** Produced by El Deseo, Almodóvar’s own company, which became a major force in Spanish film.
- **Multiple release dates:** Distributed widely across Europe and beyond, with releases spanning from 1988 to 1992.

## Body

### Overview and Genre
*Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* is a 1988 film directed by Pedro Almodóvar, classified as a black comedy. The genre is characterized by its use of humor to explore darker or more serious themes, a hallmark of Almodóvar’s filmmaking. The film’s narrative revolves around the emotional unraveling of its protagonist, played by Carmen Maura, and her interactions with a cast of eccentric characters.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by **El Deseo**, a Spanish production company co-founded by Pedro Almodóvar and his brother Agustín Almodóvar on **June 14, 1985**. Headquartered in Spain, El Deseo has been instrumental in producing many of Almodóvar’s subsequent films. *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* premiered on **March 14, 1988**, with additional release dates in various countries, including:
- **March 25, 1988**
- **September 2, 1988**
- **December 25, 1988**
- **February 15, 1989**
- **June 22, 1991** (later re-releases)

The film’s wide distribution underscores its international appeal and popularity.

### Cast and Awards
The film stars **Carmen Maura**, a celebrated Spanish actress born in **1945**. Maura’s performance earned her the **European Film Award for Best Actress** on **November 26, 1988**, solidifying her status as one of Spain’s most talented actresses. The award also brought additional prestige to the film, highlighting its critical acclaim.

### Themes and Style
Almodóvar’s film is known for its **vibrant visual style**, **complex female characters**, and **emotional intensity**. The story explores themes of betrayal, mental health, and resilience, all wrapped in a comedic yet poignant narrative. The film’s title itself reflects its central theme—the emotional breakdown of its protagonist—and has become iconic in cinema.

### Related Works and Legacy
While *Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* is a standalone film, it is often discussed in the context of Almodóvar’s broader filmography. It was succeeded in release by *Twisted Obsession* (1989), a film by **Fernando Trueba**, though the two are not directly related. The film’s success helped pave the way for Almodóvar’s later international hits, such as *All About My Mother* (1999) and *Talk to Her* (2002).

### Cultural and Historical Context
The film emerged during a period of creative flourishing in Spanish cinema, following Spain’s transition to democracy after the Franco era. Almodóvar’s work, including this film, played a key role in redefining Spanish cinema on the global stage, moving away from the constraints of earlier decades and embracing bold, unconventional storytelling.

### Reception and Influence
*Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown* has been widely praised for its **witty script**, **strong performances**, and **stylish direction**. It remains a reference point for discussions on **female-led narratives** in cinema and has influenced subsequent generations of filmmakers. The film’s blend of comedy and drama has made it a enduring favorite among critics and audiences alike.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/)
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4. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/women-verge-nervous-breakdown-1970-2)
5. [Source](https://europeanfilmawards.eu/en_EN/film/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown.4966)
6. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/kobiety-na-skraju-zalamania-nerwowego)
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/fullcredits)
9. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
10. IMDb
11. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/European-Film-Awards-Winners-1988.85.0.html)
12. The Movie Database
13. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/releaseinfo)
15. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/releaseinfo/)
16. [Source](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/releaseinfo)
17. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/18186/frauen-am-rande-des-nervenzusammenbruchs)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. europeanfilmawards.eu
20. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/1988.86.0.html)
21. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/parentalguide/#certificates)
22. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095675/technical/)
23. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/women-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown/)
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34. Trakt.tv
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