Review of Pain and Glory (2019) by Dawdlingpoet — 21 Nov 2021

This is very much a philosophical sort of a film, in that it features various older characters (not elderly but, lets say middle aged people) who have lived and regretted things, enjoyed things, have a lot to think about and look back on. As is typical of Almodovar's films (the director Pedro Almodovar), this film features numerous vibrant colours in the background of numerous scenes, whether they be within the houses of said characters, or in venues where films/film reels are shown and so on. This is a film that is definitely worth seeing specifically in high definition, preferably on a Blu-Ray disk, I'd say. I also liked the use of light in some scenes, giving an almost sort of faded spotlight sense visually.

I felt the cast did well in showing their emotional vulnerabilities on screen - it felt a very real, perhaps even somewhat raw in terms of the humanity aspect of it, watch, although I can understand why some people may argue that reasonably well off people who have had some success and find themselves somewhat washed up in later life, perhaps don't make the most obvious people to entirely feel sorry for. Still, I did feel quite engrossed in the film and while I wouldn't actively encourage the slightly destructive things the characters do, in response to their sense of loss of identity or despair, I feel I can perhaps understand why they do what they do, to an extent. I also liked that it shows male companionship and how it can make a difference to people going through the situation depicted, as well as how the main characters mother helped him see things too. Its somewhat sombre and emotionally raw in a way, in tone at times.

If your a fan of Almodovar's previous work, or Banderas work (although this is very much a slow drama film. rather than an action film) then I'd definitely recommend this. Otherwise, this is definitely worth a watch.