I know that it may seem odd placing All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre) in the category of classic film review since it came out in 1999, but who said classic meant old? As I watch more and more films directed by Pedro Almodóvar, I’m convinced of his status as a great director. While he still remains somewhat unknown, at least by the general populace of America, his films speak beyond their images. All About My Mother is no different. It combines the best of what makes a film memorable and meaningful.
The film does carry on a certain Almodóvar characteristic, women are the main focus of the plot. Men are relegated to minor or roles; or in this case, transvestites. Where this would typically lead me away from a film (being a man I like to see positive portrayals of men), Almodóvar demonstrates that women are just as important as men and that they have a unique world perspective that should be explored in a meaningful way. Hollywood tends to be male centric in their films. And when a woman takes the lead, quite a few times they become masculinized (think Alien and Tomb Raider). Throughout this film, women are the driving force and prove that you don’t have to be Sex and the City to be successful.
The main plot revolves around Manuela (Cecilia Roth) and her confrontation with the death of her son. I would rather have kept that part obscure, but it is the action that leads to the rest of the film. She seeks out his father, Lola (Toni Cantó). Yes you heard that right, his father, Lola. Lola is a transvestite who never knew that Manuela had a child. In her return to Barcelona, she encounters Rosa (Penélope Cruz). Rosa, in many ways, mirrors her. I could go further but that would ruin a few surprises. The rest of the plot revolves around Manuela’s interaction with Rosa and the star Huma Rojo (Marisa Paredes), who was being pursued by Manuela’s son at the time of his death. As they all come together, the plot becomes about mistakes and forgiveness. Life goes on, and these women demonstrate how to survive.
The surprises and plot twists are essential to the film’s success, which is why it is so difficult mentioning some of the more moving moments in the film. Suffice to say that each element becomes another piece to the puzzle that eventually rewards the viewer with a fulfilling experience.
One of the best parts of All About My Mother is the conversational nature of the acting and dialogue. Almodóvar has given the viewer an authentic view into the world of his characters where through their words, we feel. It’s a unique experience to have an authentic chuckle when a character says something that is not intended to be a joke, but because of the intimacy creates a laugh. One that is then shared with the characters. This truly set Almodóvar apart from other directors. This is also how the relationship between Manuela and Rosa grows right before the audience’s eyes. We witness the deep connections that are made, and the sadness experienced. I have to mention that there is a rawness to Cruz’s acting that actually helps her character. In many ways, it is like watching an actor finally gain their footing and emerge from their cocoon (horrible metaphor but you get the picture).
The film plays on the idea that we all make mistakes in our lives, but life is full of those moments. How we deal with them is more important. Death becomes a time of mourning and a time of awareness. Sadness and happiness can be mixed. Almodóvar gives the viewer a chance to experience life on a unique level. All About My Mother is a classic film that deserves even more credit than it’s given.
