A deeply personal and moving film.
This movie is an extremely autobiographical one for director/writer Pedro Almodóvar. It is rare to find any film as deeply personal as this. That is why it is so powerful though. Every emotion is real and completely heartfelt. Though this is technically a work of fiction there is not one false note in the entire movie. At one point a character states that art is one of the few occupations in which pain does not hinder but rather enhances your work. If we are to except this as fact, this film certainly serves as perfect evidence. This film may be the director's finest work and it almost feels as if all his art was leading up to this one film.
The movie has a true Fellini-esque quality to it, yet it never feels as if it is imitating that great director. Like almost all great art it is inspired by other art but never directly copies it. The Fellini influence can be felt in the use of childhood flashbacks interconnecting with present day. We see more and more with each flashback how our main character's childhood effected the artist he would become. Each flashback also becomes more emotional poignant as the film goes on as we begin to understand why this device is being used and how the story would not be as effective were it not told like this. These scenes are mixed in perfectly with the modern day story and there is never a moment where it feels forced or pointless. This is a work of a seasoned filmmaker who has truly mastered his craft and always maintains complete control over his art.
The title Pain and Glory could not be more fitting. This film is truly about those two things and how glory, fame and success are unable to take away the pain. As our main character's glory fades the pain becomes all that is left for him. However this movie is far from being just a depressing dirge. This is not simply a movie about feeling pain, but also about learning to understand and deal with the pain you have. The message of this film is one of endurance and self-discovery. This is perfectly shown in an incredible ending, I will not give away here.
Pedro Almodóvar is not the only one responsible for this film being great. Antonio Banderas gives one of the finest performance of his career, and perhaps this is the culmination of all the great work he has done with this director. Alberto Iglesias' musical score and José Luis Alcaine's cinematography also deserve signaling out.
This movie represents cinematic art at its finest, and is definitely a must see for all film buffs.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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