All About My Mother - Almodovar on Criterion

I first saw this film at the Heights Theatre back when it was released. Of all the Almodovar films (and I have seen the majority, if not all of them), this is the only one that made me laugh, cry, laugh, and cry some more. I have to admit it is probably one of my favorites - though you can't often go wrong with Almodovar. He and his films first came onto my radar due to the MPAA rating that switched it from an X-rating, to an NC-17 regarding the film "Tie me up, Tie me down." There is a decent New York Times article from June of 1990 regarding this, though it may be behind a paywall. I know I saw "Tie me up, Tie me down" in the theatre, and I may have seen his previous film "Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown" also in the theatre but I can't recall. What I do know is after seeing "Tie me up..." I was a fan and have seen all but one of his films. As far as I know his very first film has never been released on DVD. From "Women on the verge..." (or "Tie me up....") I have seen all his films in the theatre up through "Talk to her." All of the ones before, and after, I have bought and watched at home. I am a fan.

"All about my mother" tells the story of Manuela (Cecilia Roth), a single mother whose teenage son is killed in a car accident. She leaves Madrid (I believe) and heads for Barcelona to find the boy's father. Instead she finds a different sort of family - a chosen family - made up of an actress (Marisa Paredes), a trans sex worker (Antonia San Juan), and a nun (Penelope Cruz). The actress is playing Blanche in a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" so there are some scenes from that play/production scattered through out. Considering how Williams wrote his female characters, and how quite a number of his plays have female leads, I find it interesting how that has translated into Almodovar's catalog with all of his female leads as well. The film is beautifully shot (as always), with great colors. I feel like Almodovar's use of color is drawn from Spain (obviously), but also inspired by the work of Douglas Sirk. 

So, what makes this one of my favorite films? Beyond the performances, it is really the story. Manuela leaving one place out of grief, then finding and taking care of these other women who grow into a family around her. Her acceptance of people for who they are, and that acceptance is just what this extended family needs from her, and just what she needs to give. I love the production of "...Streetcar..." that is shown, and there is a wonderful monologue given by the sex worker. It is a moving and funny film, and if you have never seen any Almodovar, I think it is a great film to start with. The Criterion Collection includes new English subtitle translations, a new restored version of the film, three extended interview segments, plus the standard essay. It is really beautiful to watch.