Volver marks Almodovar’s return
Famed and well acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar revels in the company of women. His latest film, “Volver” spends most of its time without the company of men, and watching the film, I was struck by how rare that is, to watch a film devoid of men. But of course Almodovar is rare as well, a true one of a kind and genius of filmmaking.
Somehow, Almodovar is able to conceive film after film with so much warmth, tragedy, depth, comedy, and turns of plot that they are genre unidentifiable. Perhaps they are simply Almodovarian? “Volver” is at least. Generally it is a comedy, a ghost story, a Hitchcockian murder mystery, a family drama, and, well, you get the point. One thing I have read, and been lectured on is that Almodovar takes a tip from the Spanish telenovela’s; highly dramatized soaps that have everything in them but the kitchen sink (“Volver” consciously or not, ironically or by chance, has a shot that dwells on the kitchen sink as well as Penelope Cruz’s cleavage). Almodovar though is able to take a trashy template and elevate it to invigorating art, somehow cathartic, tragic, and redemptive. I usually walk out of an Almodovar film amazed, and “Volver” was no exception.
A bit of the story. I hinted at the genres. The center of our female ensemble cast is Raimunda, played by Penelope Cruz, who has never been a better actress and has never been so incredibly beautiful. Taking place in present day Spain Raimunda cares for her teenage daughter Paula (Yohana Cobo), exists in a lifeless marriage with a less than interesting husband, watches after her sick aunt and confides in her sister Sole (Lola Duenas). Family is big in this film, so talk of their deceased mother is rampant. That is where the ghost story comes in. After Aunt Paula passes, the ghost of their mother, Irene (Carmen Maura) appears. To give away much more of the plot would be treason, but rest assured the plot keeps coming. In fact, just when you think you know what kind of film you are watching, some surprises come around, that later you will realize made perfect sense, especially for an Almodovar film. There are also themes of village versus city, modernity versus tradition, folk beliefs in the modern world and a scathing portrayal of day time television (Almodovar gets in one line of dialogue against the church, see if you can spot it.).
Performances all around are wonderful. Realistically portrayed, it is another wonder of an Almodovar film; filmed often with bright red colors and in a crisp surreal way, the dialogue and staging of the scenes is realistic. Not afraid to linger on conversation, and ones laced with constant surprises and well, normal talk, Almodovar creates films both real in their characterizations and conversations but surreal in their appearance and thrust, after all, we are watching cinema and Almodovar is an artist, a master of a three ring circus in the vein of Fellini.
Almodovar is at his best once again, a true tribute to excellent and far-reaching filmmaking “Volver” is a wonderful film.
Story: A
Raimunda, her sister, her mother, her daughter, their past and their future. Consistently real and shocking.
Acting: A
Great ensemble. I may now be in love with Penelope Cruz who is not afforded such artistry in American roles.
Visuals: B+ An Almodovar film is always crisp and beautiful.
Originality/Innovation: B+ This film really lives with these women. The originality is in the detail and in the roller coaster plot, one that lulls you into security then hits you over the head.
Enjoyability Grade: A
Overall Grade: Another triumph for Almodovar. A
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