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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #251 on its own—not above the ranking.
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DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
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Big Three membership
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1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

A voice actress tries to reach a former lover while an escalating series of crises fills her apartment.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Madrid voice actress Pepa tries to contact lover Iván after he abruptly leaves her. Her apartment fills with Iván's wife, his son and fiancée, Pepa's fugitive friend Candela, police, and a pan of gazpacho containing sleeping pills.

Why it belongs

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown plays romantic panic as pop farce through saturated design, rapid entrances, telephone frustration, and an exuberant female ensemble.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Telephones, dubbing booths, taxis, terrace views, burning beds, and sedative-laced gazpacho keep crises crossing inside one bright apartment. Carmen Maura's speed and control give the screwball escalation an emotional center.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Venice1 win1988 · official Venice 1988 awards ↗

Plus 1 additional win

No headline-category win to name

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Date NightFilm Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound—IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness8.6
Engagement9.0
Ease9.1

Spanish · R
Narrative Feature
Mood: Funny & Bittersweet