As famed director Pedro Almodovar has grown older his films have also become more mature. As fun as his early works like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Law of Desire or High Heels were, most of his later films have more depth. With Pain and Glory, he has probably produced his most profound movie.
The brilliant Antonio Banderas stars as Salvador Mallo. He is a once celebrated film director who has stopped working after the death of his beloved mother and as chronic back pain has taken its toll. When a film festival plans to screen a restored version of one of Salvador’s films, they ask him to present it along with the star Alberto Crespo (Asier Etxeandia). Salvador hasn’t spoken to Alberto since they made the film as he was unhappy with his performance, but now they have a chance to reconcile.
There is clearly an autobiographical feel to this piece. Almodovar himself, though still working, is now a veteran film maker who must be contemplating the body of his work. Banderas captures the mood perfectly, giving a career best performance as a man who feels like he can’t physically make another film but still has a lot he wants to say. There are some nice flashback scenes to his childhood, where Penelope Cruz plays his mother. Whilst I preferred the modern day scenes, those older scenes are crucial to the plot, especially the clever and emotional ending.
As well as the very good Etxeandia, Nora Navas impresses as his agent and close friend.
Rating: 9 out of 10