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.
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…
