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Pain and Glory: Almodovar At His Best!

If you’ve read my year of film reviews you’ll know two things. Firstly, I see a lot of films. Secondly, I’m less Star Wars and Jumanji and more “off Broadway.” I’m less Spielberg and George Miller and more Almodovar and Spike Lee. Although I do need to tell you of my star-struck moment at a Melbourne cafe when George Miller was in town and ordering his own coffee.  I turned quickly and dropped my brioche on his foot. He was very nice, laughed, picked it up and ordered me another one while I looked blank and didn’t say a comprehensible word.. I just made gutteral noises. Nice Man.

Anyway, I’m besotted with the Spanish Director Pedro Almodovar. I’ve seen all his films because they are such good stories, finely acted and always intriguing. He is widely recognised as an outstanding director, producer, screen writer and actor. Almodovar is now in his 70’s and famously made Woman on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown, Volver, Julietta, All About My Mother and many others.

Pedro Almodovar

Pain and Glory is a truly wonderful film. It’s about a film director in his older years, crippled with a back injury, in constant pain and wandering through the memories of his work as he tries to create the next chapter of his life in very different circumstances. I wondered if it was autobiographical. Almodovar in his 70’s reflecting on his life’s work. I found…

“Pain and Glory – bittersweet perfection from Pedro Almodóvar. … Described as the third part of an “unplanned trilogy” which began with Law of Desire (1987) and continued through Bad Education (2004), it’s another deeply personal work from Almodóvar that mixes autobiography with fiction to powerful effect. “
Antonio Banderas
Penelope Cruz
Antonio Banderas plays the lead role. I’ve never liked his work. Under Almodovar’s direction he is staggeringly good. What an outstanding performance! Its precise, defined, never overplayed, exquisite in its humanity. Perfect.
Penelope Cruz has appeared in a number of Almodovar’s  films. She plays the flashback scenes as the mother of the young film director but there’s always a twist… and you need to see the film to enjoy this moment. She fills the screen with her talent. Its in Spanish- subtitled but so engrossing that you forget you’re reading the translation.  You’ll find it in a lovely little cinema near you.
For the trailer
https://youtu.be/slW5bh11JBc

31 December 2019 | Arts

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SOLD!

Let the next chapter begin…! My lovely home in Daylesford has sold and the boxes are being packed to take me to my new city existence. ” I don’t know where you get the energy! ” a friend said to me the other day. At 73 I should be on a cruise or having therapy to deal with my renovation addiction. Instead I’m waiting for the asbestos removal team, making tea for the lovely chippies who are like old friends, after a week of replacing walls on site. I have 12 months to renovate an old family house  and I’m hoping that I have a bathroom when I move in..no kitchen..that comes later. I’m quite mad but happy.

Whatever makes you feel alive. Do it! Happy silly season everyone!

Nora x 

 

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