Review of Parallel Mothers (2021) by Bertobellamy — 19 Feb 2022

Pedro Almodóvar's 'Parallel Mothers' may get a little too soapy sometimes, but why wouldn´t it?

In a film where two new mothers face this new stage of his life, the clash between past and now feels pertinent. There's a lot of melodrama in here, but the foundation of it all makes it meaningful. Penélope Cruz gives a career-best performance as Janis, a mature woman facing an unexpected pregnancy with optimism. On the other hand, Milena Smit proves that Almodóvar may have seen something extraordinary in her. As Ana, an adolescent also about to become a mother of an unwanted child, Smit gives nuance to a character that in any other movie would've felt cliched.

I've seen that a lot of people have found the political undertone of the film somewhat unrelated to the main plot, but it all goes back to the young vs. old theme. A country trying to heal its wounds needs to look back, but also forward. Janis and Ana represent two parts of a society in conflict; with "Parallel Mothers", Almodóvar proposes a generational reconciliation in search of a brighter future where the past is never forgotten.

Sure there are some inconsistencies in the story here and there, and some moments feel rushed and kind of bonkers, but the way Almodóvar tries to introduce a new family concept is bold and interesting. If you liked this, check out 'The Lost Girl, 'Ema,' and 'Like Father, Like Son' to expand your view of unconventional motherhood and uncommon family dynamics.