Pedro Almodovar is one of my absolute favourite international filmmakers. Whether it be his more recent work like Pain & Glory and Parallel Mothers, or his earlier films like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and All About my Mother, Almodovar's style and penchant for strong female centered stories are always a draw.
His latest, and first English language film, follows an author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) who learns an old friend Martha (Tilda Swinton) is battling cancer. The two reconnect as Swinton's character undergoes treatment, but when an experimental treatment bears no fruit, she asks her friend to stay with her as she prepares to take her own life. Thus Ingrid stays in "the room next door" at a fancy rental house as the two discuss life and death leading up to Martha's eventual last day.
I really enjoyed this one, one thing I was instantly taken to was the dialogue. I reckon part of it is Almodovar writing in a language other than his native Spanish tongue, but the dialogue feels very theatrical, coming across more like a dramatic play than a typical film. There's a ton of pondering about the idea of holding on and trying to eventually get better versus making the most of your last months and choosing a death you prefer, and these ideas come out solely through the dialogue between the two women. It's a constantly engaging script despite treading very similar water for much of the runtime. There is also a comedic touch to some of it, making light of the macabre with some jokes that had my whole theatre laughing.
Performance wise these are two of my favourite performances of the year. As Ingrid, Moore first has to nail that rekindling phase of reconnecting with someone after many years, then shift into a role where she is the closest person to Martha in her last weeks and ultimately days. That rapid escalation of intimacy offers a complicated emotion to evoke but Moore does a really great job melding sadness, confusion, and I think a bit of anger into something that feels very authentic. Swinton also has a tough task, needing to play a combination of weakness as she becomes sicker, but also confidence and strength as she takes life into her own hands. These two play beautifully off of each other in what really becomes an acting masterclass by two that I'm very glad we finally get to see on screen together.
I do think the film ended a bit too late. Without spoiling, there's a major point towards the end that I think would have been a perfect point to end the film, but instead it treads on for another ten minutes or so. These ten minutes aren't bad by any means, but it feels a bit like Almodovar is pulling for more when the story has given us most of what it had to offer. Stylistically though Almodovar is amazing as always, offering a film that is not only shot well, but features stunningly bright sets and costumes that hook you just as much as the terrific writing and performances. As an added bonus, someone in the q&a asked the cast how they would like to die and I think that's pretty hilarious. 4/5
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