Unlike many of Pedro Almodóvar’s early films, this semi-autobiographical reminiscence takes a more understated approach. Frequent star of his early films, Antonio Banderas, plays a director in his later years…without work and suffering for a litany of physical and mental challenges. He reconnects with a number of people from his past career and early childhood (via memory). There are some beautiful moments of recollection and reconciliation with Banderas making a quiet impression in every scene. While this film never gets especially dramatic in its revelations, the images of restrained regrets and gentle acceptance paint a subdued portrait of an artist coming to terms with his life and art. (Criterion Cinemas only, in Spanish with subtitles)
(3.5 / 5)