Pain and Glory

I'm surprised this film has such a low rating on here, i found it brilliant. It was the first time i watched an Almodovar film and I think i picked a great one to start with, because it turned me into a fan. Not only is the direction in this film brilliant, so is the writing and that's all down to him. You can tell it's auteur cinema, because there's this cohesiveness that's so satisfying and that pushes the narrative forward. It auto-references itself in a way that's surprising and moving and it tells someone's life story, set in different times, while almost making it feel like it's all happening at the same time. The past is so present and constant, there's so much intention in everything that's happening both in the flashbacks and in the present. This film feels like a spider-web but Almodovar simplifies it enough to make for a beautifully satisfying watching experience. The ending is just the cherry on top. Absolutely adored it!

With “Parallel Mothers," I had only seen one movie by Pedro Almodóvar so far. However, after “Pain and Glory,” I think I know what defines a relatively typical film by the director. The narrative pace is rather leisurely; the story has autobiographical elements, and his relationship with his mother plays a prominent role. In contrast to “Parallel Mothers," though, I found the story here less engaging. That being said, Antonio Banderas is really convincing in the lead role, and visually, I can't fault the movie either. Almodóvar is without question a strong filmmaker. That's why I totally understand the good reviews; it just wasn't my cup of tea in the end.