Parallel Mothers (Pedro Almodóvar)

[Grouchy]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8m7ARcWEAM2ute.jpg

[Peng]

Its parallel threads of historical framework and melodrama story aren't exactly dovetailed or resolved as much as skipped past over to each's endpoint, finishing the film on a deflating note. Feels like Almodóvar has a conceptual ambition of tying them together thematically, while never figure out how to make it work on a total narrative level. Kind of a shame, because before that this is among the director's late-period intimately, wonderfully emotional and layered works, in the vein of Pain and Glory, including down to having a magnificent central performance from one of his long-time muses. 7/10

[Grouchy]

I thought this started out seeming like it was going to be one of Almodóvar's darkest efforts, and in many ways it is, but the plot mechanics are straight from his zanier work. Penélope Cruz deserves all the awards in existence, and so does the newcomer Milena Smith. I agree that the ending is way too abrupt.

[Idioteque Stalker]

Might yay it for that poster alone.