Pain & Glory Captures Old Age

The review:

Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory reminded me how few movies there are about the realities of aging. Antonio Banderas captures a director hamstrung by pain* and flashbacks give insight into different areas of his life. It’s a wish fulfillment movie,** and when carried out with Almodóvar’s excellent use of color and interesting settings past and present*** made for an excellent film.

The verdict: Recommended

Cost: $5.99 via Google Play
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching

• The Farewell
• The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
• Savages
• On Golden Pond
• Away From Her

Further sentences:

*Both physical and mental. Banderas’s stiff movements—watch how he carefully eases himself into a cab—hint at how difficult basic functions are; his eyes capture the loss that comes with a long life.
**There were a few too many conincidences to be believable.
***I loved the cave, the director’s apartment, and even Alberto Crespo’s backyard was beautiful to look at.

Questions:

• Do you think Salvador Mallo’s (Antonio Banderas) response to pain was reasonable
• Would you ever live in a cave?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

As usual, Agustín Almodóvar, Pedro’s brother and producer of the movie, makes a cameo. In this case, as a teacher and priest in a flashback, when Antonio Banderas’ character is a small boy.

Other reviews:

• Mahan’s Media
• CineMarvellous