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Movie Reviews
Volver
Sony Pictures Classics
Rated R
Review by: Larry Thomas
Once upon a time in 1974, a young Spaniard named Pedro Almodovar got the movie-making
bug. For five years he wrote and directed his own short films, until one day he
managed to break in to features. The films, most of which starred Carmen Maura,
bore titles like Dark Habits, Laws of Desire and Labyrinth
of Passion. In no time at all, Almodovar carved out a reputation as the "Spanish
John Waters," as he tackled subject matters that were dark, introspectively
funny, and not previously explored in Spanish films.
Then he hit the international big time with 1988's Women on the Verge
of a Nervous Breakdown, a hysterical yet touching look at contemporary
relationships. This was also the second of three films he was to make with a
new star discovery, Antonio Banderas.
In checking the long line of accolades, award nominations, and award wins on
Almodovar's resume, the list would make any filmmaker envious. When you
add up the adulation directed toward, not only him, but for his individual films,
the total is staggering.
His latest effort, Volver, which means, "to return," is no exception.
At the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, Almodovar won Best Screenplay, while the female
stars won as Best Ensemble cast. The film took five of Spain's Goya Awards,
including Picture, Director, Screenplay and Actress. And leading lady Penelope
Cruz is nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress.
In Volver, Cruz plays Raimunda, a hard-working woman with a teenage daughter
and a louse of a husband. She and her sister Sole, beautifully played by Lola
Dueñas, still mourn the loss of their parents in a fire some three years
earlier. One day, the three women return to their home village to visit an elderly
aunt, who is not doing well. The neighbor across the street tells Sole that
some of the villagers have spoken of seeing the ghost of the dead mother in
the aunt's house.
Returning to Madrid, a series of events is set in motion that would seem completely
unbelievable on paper, but when woven into the fabric of an Almodovar film,
are not only plausible, but quite refreshing. And to give away any of these
events, and how the plot unfolds, would ruin any surprises. Suffice to say,
the film takes the time to explore the relationships among all these hard-pressed,
likeable women, and to tie up the story at the finale with a variation on the
old adage "what goes around, comes around…" in more ways than
one.
Penelope Cruz is excellent, and is worthy of her Oscar nomination. She's
feisty, determined, caring, and doesn't trade on her exceptional beauty.
Even better than Cruz, however, is Lola Dueñas as Sole, the younger sister.
Sole is separated from her husband and runs an illegal beauty parlor in her
apartment to support herself. Dueñas delivers a wonderful performance,
exposing a sparking personality. And after a long absence from Almodovar films,
Carmen Maura is back as the presence of their mother.
As with the best of Almodovar's writing and directing, Volver is touching,
involving and funny -- not knee-slapping funny, but sly and ironic funny. His
use of the camera in creating wide vistas, odd angles, and interesting perspectives
is breathtaking. The original score by Alberto Iglesias echoes the work of movie
music master Ennio Morricone, and is just fine in fitting the film.
It's too bad that foreign-language films can't develop more of
a mainstream audience in this country, since many subtitled films are far superior
to what's cranked out on a weekly basis at the "suit factories"
that pass for Hollywood these days.
Volver is well worth your time to seek out and enjoy.
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Friday, September 03, 2010 
