Pedro Almodóvar delivers his most personal movie yet with the stunning Bad Education. Although not strictly autobiographical, it's an intimate tale about the fates of two boys abused at a religious school in the 60s. Call it All About My Father; call it an outrageous attempt to put the cock into Hitchcock; call it unmissable for any fan of the Spanish master.

In typically deft fashion, Almodóvar weaves the action between both pre- and post-Franco Spain, and fact and fiction. Enrique (Fele Martínez) is a successful young film director in search of his next movie. He receives a plot to die for when Ignacio Rodriguez (Gael García Bernal) delivers a short story called The Visit, drawing on his school experiences. Turns out the men have a shared history, a past which Bad Education unspools in a compelling and impressively compassionate manner.

It's impossible to name another director who'd have the cojones to make a film revolve around childhood abuse, yet also turn a sinning priest into a subsequent victim. Almodóvar is in imperious form, however, and it's a joy to witness the superbly staged action here. Acting as a greatest hits montage of the director's previous work, you'll constantly find yourself thinking: "So Almodóvar."

"TOP CLASS"

Of the cast, Bernal is a revelation as the man - and woman (this is 'Un Film de Almodóvar') - who holds the key to the film's mysteries. Daniel Giménez-Cacho, meanwhile, is suitably devilish as the predatory priest.

The story only falters slightly in the closing stages, when the colourful film noir reveals its final shocking twist. That's the only thing stopping it from usurping All About My Mother as the director's definitive work. In every other respect, Bad Education is top class.

In Spanish with English subtitles.