Pedro Almodovar began to find his style with his second feature "Labyrinth of Passion." His direction is a bit shaky, and he hasn't quite figured out yet how to pace and edit a large-cast, multi-subplot film. The many characters aren't easy to keep straight (pun intended), but their interwoven adventures manage to loosely coalesce by the end. There's something to offend everyone here: casual incest, flamboyant homosexuality, transsexuality, drugs, nymphomania, artificial insemination and possibly the most disgusting poop joke ever (but surprisingly, not too much nudity). Most of the action centers around a visiting Middle Eastern prince who is exploring Madrid's debauched club scene incognito. He sings in a band. He beds people of both sexes. He avoids terrorists (including Antonio Banderas, so young he's almost unrecognizable, playing a lad with an impossible ability to track like a bloodhound). Oh, and there's also a sexy pop star who can't figure out why she's afraid of the sun. Naturally. Almodovar himself has a fun cameo as an effeminate singer.

Early and great Almodovar! We start to see what become recurring themes in his later films - homosexuality, prostitutes and cross dressers..all representing deep held emotions and feelings that are experienced by us all.