Movie Breakdown: Pain And Glory

Pre-Screening Ramble:

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what Pain And Glory is actually about, but I do know that it’s from Pedro Almodovar, one of the best filmmakers ever, so I have to see it.  Also, I’ve just always really liked Antonio Banderas.  Also also, I’m excited for Rosalia’s cameo.

Post-Screening Ramble:

There’s a scene in Pain And Glory where an actor asks a stranger about his performance, and the man notes that while he doesn’t know if he can say he liked it, he was moved by it.  This is pretty much the film in a nutshell.  It’s a beautiful effort that’s centered around Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas), an aging gentlemen who has lost the passion and physical ability to do the one thing he’s always loved the most – make films.  So, as any of us would do, he spends a lot of time reflecting on his entire life and recalling the events, people and places that shaped and inspired him.  It’s truly a story that’s impossible to not get wrapped up in, but it’s so dense and emotional that I’m not sure I’ll ever watch it again.  Now, this is not a dig at the movie, it’s just that writer/director Pedro Almodovar has crafted something so personal that a single trip through it is enough.  What a pretty and meaningful trip it is though.

Pain And Glory is a bit pretentious and is not an easy or accessible movie, but then again, that’s the case with a lot of Almodovar films, so you shouldn’t really be surprised.  See it if you’ve seen his other works.

One Last Thought:

I’m guessing it’s unlikely since the category is looking particularly packed right now, but it would be great to see Antonio Banderas get a Best Actor nomination for his masterful work in Pain And Glory.  Or, at the very least, the world should forgive him for Ballistic: Ecks vs Sever.