"All About My Mother"

6. A character study of Agrado (especially her speech - how can she claim to be "very authentic"?), Manuela, Huma, or Rosa.

Agrado is a fascinating character. She speaks gruffly and is constantly calling her best friend Manuela a ‘bitch,’ but she means it as an endearment. She has silicone breasts, and her nose, cheeks, and butt aren’t natural either. (Neither is her dick). She is always wasting her money on the newest plastic surgery the market has to offer. She dyes her hair and is always wearing a ton of make-up.

However, I believe she can claim to be very authentic because she speaks her mind. She cares for her friends, knows who she is, and is content with the person she sees herself as. She hates goodbyes, but hates not saying goodbye even more. She is a confidant and tough lady who can take care of herself out on the street, and she is eventually able to find a better job. 

2. The theme of communication or the lack thereof in the film. How does Almodovar emphasize this in the film, among which characters, and why?

Communication (more like, the lack of it) is very present in this film. Esteban writes his wishes in a notebook instead of telling them to his mother directly. He wanted to know more about his father since all he'd been told was, "your father died long before you were born." Manuela would have told him all about his father, i'm sure, if only he'd made clear how empty he felt and how it felt as though half of his life was missing.
There is also miscommunication between Manuela and Lola. She doesn't tell him about Esteban; rather, she runs off and doesn't see Lola again for 18 years. Only then does he find out, and it is such a shame. He is delighted to know he had a son and desires to see him, but he cannot because Esteban is dead. This was my favorite part of the film.