Volver Review
Volver (****)
(Almodóvar, Pedro; 2006; Spain)
It would be a difficult task indeed to find a modern auteur whose movies are more recognizable to cinema fans than those of Pedro Almodóvar. Despite only taking in a fraction of his films, I feel like I could recognize his work from a hundred miles away. This recognition doesn't simply result from the unique visual style of Almodóvar's films or from their recurring themes of strong female characters, family, death, etc. It's also a result of the feeling one receives when watching his work. It never fails. When watching un film de Almodóvar, it's impossible to resist being swept away. The man brings you to a world wholly different from your own and forces you to lie witness to the lives of others.
In the case of Volver, these lives are of six women, all of whom move listlessly between simple and complex. True to form, Almodóvar introduces us to our main character, Raimunda (Penelope Cruz), and her five co-stars very early in the narrative, but leaves out the details. As the story unfolds, our interest in these women heightens - Almodóvar pulls us along as few can do, making us yearn for answers. All the while, what began as a simple film about death becomes much more. It becomes a story of family, of redemption, of that inevitable quest at the end of our lives to right our wrongs.
In many ways Volver is a far simpler film than 2002's Hable con ella or 1999's Todo sobre mi madre. Here, Almodóvar avoids the use of flashback or roundabout storytelling in favor of a more straightforward approach. And the film is all the better for it. The story's revelations are delivered in a linear fashion and each unraveling is delivered with precision. This is in no small part to the movie's six stars, all of whom shine. At this year's Cannes Film Festival the women all shared the Best Actress prize and after watching this film it's clear why. All of them were integral to developing Almodóvar's story in a believable and heartfelt manner. Ultimately, the standout performance belongs to Cruz, who, in perhaps her toughest role to date, captures every scene.
In a year where we've seen some of the finest auteurs of past (Scorsese and Altman) release fantastic films, Almodóvar has proven that his formula still works. The most well received films of his long career have been released over the past seven years and he isn't letting up. Volver is a movie that will be loved by fans of the director and, without a doubt, appreciated by anyone who loves fine cinema or storytelling.
(Almodóvar, Pedro; 2006; Spain)
It would be a difficult task indeed to find a modern auteur whose movies are more recognizable to cinema fans than those of Pedro Almodóvar. Despite only taking in a fraction of his films, I feel like I could recognize his work from a hundred miles away. This recognition doesn't simply result from the unique visual style of Almodóvar's films or from their recurring themes of strong female characters, family, death, etc. It's also a result of the feeling one receives when watching his work. It never fails. When watching un film de Almodóvar, it's impossible to resist being swept away. The man brings you to a world wholly different from your own and forces you to lie witness to the lives of others.
In the case of Volver, these lives are of six women, all of whom move listlessly between simple and complex. True to form, Almodóvar introduces us to our main character, Raimunda (Penelope Cruz), and her five co-stars very early in the narrative, but leaves out the details. As the story unfolds, our interest in these women heightens - Almodóvar pulls us along as few can do, making us yearn for answers. All the while, what began as a simple film about death becomes much more. It becomes a story of family, of redemption, of that inevitable quest at the end of our lives to right our wrongs.
In many ways Volver is a far simpler film than 2002's Hable con ella or 1999's Todo sobre mi madre. Here, Almodóvar avoids the use of flashback or roundabout storytelling in favor of a more straightforward approach. And the film is all the better for it. The story's revelations are delivered in a linear fashion and each unraveling is delivered with precision. This is in no small part to the movie's six stars, all of whom shine. At this year's Cannes Film Festival the women all shared the Best Actress prize and after watching this film it's clear why. All of them were integral to developing Almodóvar's story in a believable and heartfelt manner. Ultimately, the standout performance belongs to Cruz, who, in perhaps her toughest role to date, captures every scene.
In a year where we've seen some of the finest auteurs of past (Scorsese and Altman) release fantastic films, Almodóvar has proven that his formula still works. The most well received films of his long career have been released over the past seven years and he isn't letting up. Volver is a movie that will be loved by fans of the director and, without a doubt, appreciated by anyone who loves fine cinema or storytelling.