Alejandra M
Hermosa y conmovedora
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
08/25/23
Full Review
Matthew B
All About My Mother represented another stage in the development of Pedro Almodovar as a film director. His early films are marked by a more outrageously camp style. The humour is over-the top, the morality perverse, and the style kitsch.
However over time, Almodovar's style began to mature from his independent beginnings, and his films began to deal with more serious matter. All About My Mother was certainly not the first of Almodovar's films to explore this new seriousness, but it was the best movie that he had made up until that point. He may have subsequently exceeded it with Talk to Her and Volver.
Many of the trappings of the typical Almodovar film are here. The colours are bright and vibrant. The décor is gaudier than the kind that you see in most people's houses. The style is theatrical, with traditional Spanish songs, old movies and scenes from plays thrown in, complete with stage curtains descending at the beginning and end of the movie.
The film is populated by typical Almodovar characters – fighting lesbians, a pregnant nun with HIV, and a few transgender prostitutes. However these comfortingly familiar Almodovar touches are only little camp frills here. The story could have been told more plainly without any of them, although if it had been, then it would not have been an Almodovar movie.
These elements are inseparable from Almodovar's style, but the film has serious and universal themes too. It deals with the pain of loss, and confrontation with one's own past. What follows is a sad tale that its ironies, catty witticisms and startling dialogue cannot detract from.
If you would like to read more of my views on All About My Mother, I wrote a blog (possibly containing spoilers), which can be found at: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2018/05/18/all-about-my-mother-1999/
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/31/23
Full Review
Massoud H
The best movie ever made. Ever.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/30/22
Full Review
isla s
This film has quite a laidback feel to it, with slow jazz type music playing in the background at times. Its an interesting, thoughtful perhaps watch. There are numerous sex references present, so unsurprisingly it isn't an ideal watch if your watching with your parents or similar but that's to be expected. It features a good cast (including Cecilia Roth and Penelope Cruz) and I liked the cinematography, showing the seedier sides of Barcelona. The plot intrigued me - its certainly a good bit of social commentary, Given the plot, it may have been, if only somewhat, controversial when it came out in the late 1990s and I respect that its a well liked and regarded films. As ever with Almodovar's films, bright colours plays a big part in this.
I liked and respected that the women looked out for each other. I suppose it has the feel of a play about it - indeed a play is part of the storyline but the whole film could be a theatrical production, I feel. I thought it was at times poignant and also somewhat amusing, due to the sharp dialogue.
I certainly enjoyed watching it, so yes, I'd recommend it.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A very heartfelt outing from Almodóvar explores humanity in the wake of tragedy. Deeply humanizing to its array of female and LGBTQ characters, I enjoyed Todo Sobre Mi Madre, although it was more serious than I expected it to be, without some of the lightness often brought to the table by Almodóvar's customary campiness.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Pedro Almodovar delivers, what he describes in his own words as, a screwball drama that features many uniquely captivating female characters in a film he dedicates to "actresses who played actresses".
The plot may prove too melodramatic for some but I am usually down for the big, loud, over the top plot devices and characters, especially when paired with such gorgeous cinematography and an eye dazzlingly stimulating color palette.
Cecilia Roth provides a solid foundation as most of the action and character introductions come about as a result of passing through her orbit. Penelope Cruz creates some impressively nuanced pathos in a role that became more interesting as the story progressed. It was Antonia San Juan however, who almost stole this show with her Algrado, as her performance offered the largest range, providing plenty of humorous banter interspersed between moments that felt far too genuine for a fictitious film plot.
I had intended to dig into Almodovar's work much more quickly after Parallel Mothers, early this year, and Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown which I saw, and loved, shortly after. With yet another winner from him I know I will be actively seeking out more of his work in the future.
On a side note I got a kick out of the fact this was listed, as it is alphabetical, right behind All About Eve in the New York Times Book of Movies that I am currently working through. I would also recommend giving A Streetcar Named Desire a rewatch before this as that production is prominently featured in All About My Mother. 7.5/10
NYT 1000 #277
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
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