Movie Review: Volver

Volver (2006) 

Directed by Pedro Almodovar

Written by Pedro Almodovar 

Starring Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenes, Blanca Portilla

Release Date March 17th, 2006

Published December 6th, 2006 

I have always thought of myself as an educated filmgoer, it goes with the title of film critic; I suppose. However, despite having seen thousands of movies in my career, the art of Pedro Almodovar has escaped me. I have always planned on seeing his movies, putting them in my netflix cue, borrowing them from friends, but I never have.

So this week I made a special trip to Chicago with the specific intent of seeing Almodovar's latest movie Volver, a film that has been receiving raves since its debut at the Canne film festival back in May. My three hour trip was more than worth it. Volver is a lovely and dazzling slice of unusual life.

Volver (translates "to return" in english) tells the story of three generations of women from a small village outside Madrid Spain. Penelope Cruz is Raimunda an unhappily married woman who spends most of her time working several part time jobs. On weekends however, Raimunda returns to the village where she grew up to take part in a ritual, cleaning and polishing the graves of her late mother and father.

Joining Raimunda on this journey week after week are her daughter Paula (Yohana Cobo) and her sister Sole (Lola Duenas). This weekly trip also includes a visit to Raimunda's aunt Paula who raised her as a child even before her parents died. Aunt Paula is getting frail and losing her sight and yet week after week manages to provide fresh food for the girls to take home.

Back home, Raimunda's husband Paco is a deadbeat with no job and no ambition. Laying on the couch drinking all day, Paco seems unimportant but soon his death as well as the death of Aunt Paula will send everyone's life into an unusual and surprising direction.

That is the bare bones of the plot of Pedro Almodovar's Volver. To give away to much of this wonderfully amazing movie. Watching Volver unfold this rather dark story involving murder, manslaughter, abuse, infidelity and other such transgressions, you expect the film to be heavy. However, despite the many dark revelations and experiences, Volver is more than pleasant, it borders on jaunty.

Dressing everything in bright colors and bathing it in a lush score by Alberto Iglesias, Almodovar makes Volver not a dwelling on sadness but a paean to the bravery, pluck and gumption of the four women who make up the center of this film. I say four because there is another character in Volver, played by longtime Almodovar collaborator Carmen Maura, who holds all of the films secrets and who creates much of the films magic, humor and poignance.

Volver is a major comeback for the oft-maligned actress Penelope Cruz. Having spent much of her career being kicked around for her english language roles in Vanilla Sky and Sahara, and being known for a time as Tom Cruise's girlfriend, Cruz makes a statement as an actress in Volver. Her strength, her spirit and her surprisingly lovely singing voice bring a lively performance to the screen in a role that should win her much awards attention. Ms. Cruz belongs alongside Helen Mirren in the competition for best actress 2006.

Another strong awards candidate is Carmen Mauro who is truly enchanting in a role that holds all of the cards in the film. For a time her character is thought to be a ghost and it is the brilliance of her performance that she manages to really make you wonder about this supernatural possibility. Mauro combines humor and sadness so brilliantly it's breathtaking.

I know how many of you whine and complain about subtitles but please trust me when I tell you that even while reading this movie you will be able to enjoy the many pleasures of this wonderfully visual story. This movie is too good, too entertaining for you to worry about having to bring your reading glasses to the theater. Suck it up, see this movie.

For my first experience with a Pedro Almodovar film I could not have chosen a better film. Volver is bewitching, charming, thoughtful and very entertaining. I can't wait to have a look at past Almodovar films like All About My Mother, Talk To Me or Bad Education. If they are anywhere near as engaging and lovely as Volver I am in for a treat.