Los abrazos rotos (2009)

 

 

A blind writer reaches this moment in time when he has to heal his wounds from 14 years back, when he was then still known by his real name, Mateo Blanco, and directing his last movie. Although the story is complex, offered in multiple time leaps and film-in-film sequences, it is less original, but more a homage to the director's love of cinema; as usual with Pedro Almodóvar the movie thrills with its exuberant visual quality and the ensemble's interplay.

Maltin***1/2: "Sinuous, mesmerizing story plays out in two time frames; along the way Pedro Almodóvar pays homage to Audrey Hepburn, Roberto Rossellini, and film noir. He also fashioned another perfect vehicle for Cruz's talent and beauty."

Volver (2006)

After her death, a mother returns to her home town in order to fix the situations she couldn't resolve during her life.

A sometimes humorous, sometimes quite dark exploration of women's lives in Spain; the female ensemble is excellent, and Almodóvar manages to tell a complex tale in a very light tone without losing any depth.

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my initial opinion.

Maltin***1/2: "Lively, colorful Almodóvar mixture of comedy, drama, emotion, and mysticism clicks with its opening shot and never lets up. It also gives Cruz an extraordinary screen showcase."