agmtw logo
search
Parallel Mothers (2021)

Parallel Mothers (2021)

Vibrant, dramatic, and relevant, Parallel Mothers is a memorable entry into director Pedro Almodóvar’s prolific body of work

7.8

Movie

Spain
Spanish
Drama
2021
PEDRO ALMODÓVAR
Adelfa Calvo, Agustín Almodóvar, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
123 min

What it's about

Two unmarried women who have become pregnant by accident and are about to give birth meet in a hospital room: Janis, in her late-thirties, unrepentant and happy; Ana, a teenager, remorseful and frightened.

The take

Whether or not you’re familiar with director Pedro Almodóvar’s body of work, Parallel Mother stands as a gorgeous melodrama, a striking story about motherhood and our ties to the past. On one level, it’s a simple but engaging drama about a misunderstanding that ensues between two women. But on another, it’s a deep dive into a nation’s cruel history, as well as an observation of people’s commitment to never letting that part of themselves go. The film references Almodóvar’s past films but it also works as a standalone, a perfect starting point for moviegoers interested in exploring his oeuvre. Of course, Penelope Cruz continues to be a powerhouse, each line delivery an emotional gut punch, while relative newcomer Milena Smit is stirring, a true revelation, as her director calls her.

Comments

Add a comment

Your name

Your comment

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Victoria (2015)

Filmed in one continuous take and in real time on the streets of Berlin, ‘Victoria’ immerses the viewer in a heart-stopping drama

9.8

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Compassionate filmmaking reconstructing a 24-hour police brutality story – with a stunning lead by Michael B. Jordan

9.7

Barcelona (1994)

Two Americans splash out of water in this charming comedy of manners

7.2

Emilia Pérez (2024)

Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez return to their roots in this multinational crime musical drama

7.5

Open Your Eyes (1997)

The startlingly surreal Spanish psychothriller that inspired modern cult classic Vanilla Sky

8.0

Babylon (2022)

An intoxicating and lavishly designed experience of Hollywood hedonism

8.0

Nowhere (2023)

A riveting Spanish Netflix survival thriller brought to life in Anna Castillo’s performance

7.8

Everybody Knows (2018)

A Spanish movie from the Iranian director of A Separation

7.2

Identifying Features (2020)

A mother searches for her son in this tragic, contemplative drama on the border

7.8

Broadcast News (1987)

A romantic and bittersweet drama set in the hectic world of TV news

8.0

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2024 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.