Volver Review

Pedro Almodovar is one of those directors whose name I have heard many times, but whose work I had never experienced. His latest film, Volver, is quite an experience indeed.

Penelope Cruz is being touted as the star of the film, but if ever there was an ensemble cast, this is it! Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Bianca Portillo, and Yohano Cobo round out the cast. Their interdependence on one another lends a believability to the family ties.

Cruz will be the only familiar name to most American viewers, but even her biggest American fans may not recognize her onscreen. I had only ever seen her in American films which required her to speak English. Watching her act in Spanish, her native tongue, was like watching someone completely different. This Cruz is confident, aggressive even, in her choices. She absolutely pops. Not to mention she has never looked more beautiful. Dressed in fitted pencil skirts, lowcut blouses, and with a bouffant hairdo, she is the epitome of a Spanish beauty.

In the movie, Raimunda (Cruz) and her daughter, Paula (Cobo), find themselves in a sticky situation involving Raimunda’s husband. In the midst of this turmoil, Raimunda’s beloved Tia Paula (Chus Lampreave) dies. Raimunda’s sister, Sole (Duenas) goes to the wake to represent the family and comes home with an unexpected guest – the ghost of her dead mother, Irene (Maura).

Any woman who is a daughter, a mother, or a sister will be able to relate to Volver. Raimunda and Sole’s relationship, though different in many ways from mine and my own sister’s, still captures the dynamic of the sisterly bond. Raimunda and Sole are very different creatures. Raimunda is the beauty, the one in charge, the people-person. Sole is quiet, shy, plain. She has lived for a long time in Raimunda’s shadow. These two people would never find each other in life were it not for a shared set of parents. Yet they have a bond that overcomes any obstacle, and when one is in need, the other is there.

Irene’s and Raimunda’s relationship in many ways mirrors that of Raimunda’s and Paula’s. Paula is the same age Raimunda was when the rift between Raimunda and her mother was formed. It is clear Raimunda does not want the same thing to happen between her and Paula. Their relationship brings up an interesting question – are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of our mothers with our own children?

It is interesting to me that a male director is able to capture the intricacies found within the range of female relationships. Almodovar is renowned for his depictions of femininity. This being the only one of his movies I have seen, I believe the hype. Volver is simply a beautiful and delightful movie. The colors and style of shooting are almost retro, recalling movies of the 1960’s. The music is intense and suspenseful. The pleasure of watching, along with the superb performances have inspired me to look for other works by Almodovar.

Though Volver deals with some very weighty life issues, the perfect comedic timing of the cast and Almodovar’s sharp and witty script keep it from becoming too heavy. The twists and turns of the relationships between these women kept me interested and anxious to see what would happen next. Family secrets are revealed and old wounds are healed. Even in the face of death, Raimunda, Sole, and even their mother Irene finally wake to the true joys of life and love.