Review of Julieta (2016) by Warwick B — 05 Sep 2016

After the camp airline farce, I'm So Excited!, this new movie from Pedro Almodóvar is completely different. It is a beautiful study of grief and loss, guilt and separation.

Its inspiration are three short stories by Canadian author Alice Munro from her 2004 collection Runaway, which Almodóvar has adapted into one moving and involving tragedy, starring two central characters Emma Suárez and Adriana Ugarte playing Julieta over two time periods.

At the beginning we meet the older Julieta played by Suárez, living a comfortable life in Madrid. And then a chance meeting in the street with a childhood best friend of her estranged daughter changes things. Shock by news about her daughter whom she's heard nothing for years, Julieta moves back into the apartment block where they once Iived and starts writing the story about her life, with her younger self played equally well by Ugarte, as she reflects on the choices and missed opportunities that led to their separation.

The two central actresses are both brilliant and give unified performances of Julieta. Alberto Iglesias' wonderful score is mournful and haunting and the visuals, design and costumes are all exquisite. It is a magnificent piece of work from the acclaimed Spanish director that fans of vintage Almodóvar will love.