All About My Mother (1999)
Directed by: Pedro Almodovar
Premise: After her son is killed in an accident, Manuala (Cecilia Roth) returns to her home in Barcelona and reunites with friends. Together they explore the meaning of motherhood and womanhood.
What Works: Despite its grim opening, the film is actually quite heartwarming and intersperses humor into some very serious dramatic issues. There are many unexpected turns and reversals in the story but none of them come so far out that they feel tacked on or hackneyed. The interaction between the women and their different backgrounds is very interesting and their scenes together have very snappy dialogue with lots of psychological depth.
What Doesn’t: Throughout much of the picture the relationships between characters are a little unclear. Most of this is cleared up by the conclusion but the film may require a second viewing to fully grasp the plot.
DVD extras: Interview with the director, isolated music score.
Bottom Line: All About My Mother is a small but touching film about womanhood and illustrates a great sense of community.
Episode: #51 (May 8, 2005)