All About My Mother

I recently began studying this film for a course in A level Film studies and I encorage anyone who can to watch this film. It show in it a bravery of cinematic talent that Almodovar seems to be able to congure time after time in his films. A masterful film with a decadent plot linking each moment of beauty and tenderness with one of pure humor. The lines between genders are blurred as the film continues. As the final triumph of motherhood rages towards its final bow we are remininded of the fragility of life, love and happiness. While some women choose to 'settle down' others seek solace with other women and those who wish to be women. Death, Love,pain sinful pleasure and outrageous humor join to make this ingenious film. Bravo!

I remember having left this movie feeling as I once wrote "kinda sad". Mainly for the mother character in the movie who has to take so much of the born-under-a-bad-sign treatment. In retrospect though, as I watch the film again, her story is almost life-affirming in its own way. And Almodovar's style, not as crazy as in his past films but just as uncompromising, suits the story. A 17 year old dies, a transvestite is his father, and many other things. Yet, they were all necessary for this drama that is also good (yet different) for Almodovar, who won best foreign film for 1999 at the Oscars. The best part of all though, I could understand how the characters thought and acted more on a second viewing. This was a good film, but the drama is laid so thick it makes Sophie's Choice look like Dumb and Dumber; yet it's Almodovar all the way, even in the midst of harrowing, very human drama. A-

No doubt any movie buff knows that Pedro Almodovar is probably the prime figure in Spanish cinema. And "Todo sobre mi madre" (called "All About My Mother" in English) affirms that. This story of a young man searching for his father - whose identity was hidden by his mother - is interesting, but never degenerating into just being "audience-pleasing"; artistic, but never too metaphysical or anything. Almodovar has since added to this good resume with "Bad Education". All in all, every Almodovar movie that I've seen, I've liked. I was surprised when I stayed with a family in Toledo, Spain, in May-June, 2001, and the mother told me that she wasn't too fond of this movie. But, to each his/her own. I liked the movie, and I certainly recommend it.

A history so deeply moving as it is difficult to believe that it is not true. With lucidity and humor Amoldovar proves us again its capacity to move the spectator. His persons are unique, lost, moved, they belong in current Spain. Spain which keeps its traditions and her colours but which suffer troubles of the current society. His film "ambisex" belongs to those who refuse romancées histories and accept without judging the routes of the persons. One likes this tragedy because it is painted by the paintbrush of the Grand Master Almodóvar !

Only some scenes deserve my applause: those in which Almodovar gather his women and has the opportunity of showing us all his knowledge about the universe of women, through some small details in their behavior. The big mistake: all the story turns around a character that never appears until the end, and that should have never appeared, for he doesn't beat the expectations. If Almodovar feels the necessity of showing up such a clown is because he doesn't believe in what he is telling.

After two decades, it remains, for me, the basic motif for gratitude to Almodovar. A superb film about motherhood and ways , about acceptance and fight, about help and small circles. And about admirable acting. A large ball of emotions can be the fair definition for this special film. A masterpiece for so many reasons. A fair told story about life, about illusion, about death as seed for gestures, words and new beginnings changing other and other lives.

Definitely one of my favorite Almodovar films along with the extraordinary "What did I do to deserve this". Shattered over the death of her teenage son, Manuela drives to find the boy's father, a transsexual named Lola. While brooding the cities less reputable areas, she encounters Agrado, a sassy transvestite prostitute, and Rosa the pregnant nun played by Penelope Cruz on her way to El Salvador. She also becomes the manager for Huma, the actress her son idolized, and helps her through a run of A Streetcar named Desire. Together these great ladies bond through various heartrending crises, enduring the pain and celebrating the beauty of being women, or well, almost.

It's the kind of picture i could watch over and over again even concecutively. To some this film may seem sad, but for me its about joy of life and HOPE. After seeing it for the first time, i liked it but i wasn't really impressed, it was only after having seen it some years later when i was really touched to the bottom of my soul. I guess i just got older and more women...

All About My Mother is a beautiful spanish drama which combines numerous subjects that are rarely portrayed in such a genuine way: from prostitution, pregnancy, AIDS, to family tensions, loss of a child, and unconventional relationships. The performances are outstanding. Cecilia Roth was perfect in the leading role, while Antonia San Juan, Marisa Paredes, and Penélope Cruz brought their talent to the supporting characters. The plot is fairly typical for a drama. However, it is not by any means boring or uninteresting. I am usually not at all a fan of time-skips, but in the context of this film, they did not bother me, although the pacing sometimes felt a little too quick. The movie does a great job at making the viewer invested in the characters, their stories, and their future actions. It is a thoroughly entertaining film, from all points of view. Pedro Almodóvar really nailed the set design and the camera angles. ¡Bravo!