Our take
Pedro Almodovar’s films tend to swing wildly between comedy/farce and melodrama/tragedy. Volver somehow hits the sweet spot right in the middle of all four genres, with an added dose of magical realism. It’s a total joy to watch, which is really saying something since the story touches on murder, adultery, incest, malignant tumors, ghosts, and Penelope Cruz’s derriere. But maybe that’s the magic of Almodovar’s films? He’s able to take dark themes and surround them with bright colors, warm characters, and screwball humor—and really, is there anything better than that?
Streaming arrival
What it won
Oscars
1 nom
Cannes
2 wins · 1 nom
Golden Globes
2 noms
BAFTA
2 noms
SAG Awards
1 nom
Nat. Board of Review
1 win
NYFCC
1 nom
LAFCA
1 nom
European Film Awards
5 wins · 2 noms
César Awards
1 nom
Goya Awards
5 wins · 8 noms
The story
Three generations of women deal with family secrets while surviving the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition, lies and even death.
Elsewhere
"What a run this millennium for Pedro Almodóvar: one strange and fabulous feature after the next, each in a different style, each so deftly controlled that you hardly register its subversiveness until after you've been hooked by its story."
— David Edelstein
"Volver (roughly translated: "To Return") is a magical film, but that magic is in the filmmaking [...] itself."
— Jim Emerson
Who picked it
Tara Goe is a contributing writer at A Good Movie to Watch, reviewing films and shows across the major streaming services. Her work helps readers find overlooked titles worth their time.
One of Almodovar’s masterpiece works. Penelope Cruz’s performance is a real tour de force in this drama. LIttle details like the use of regional language, the pattern on Cruz’s dress, the way the women who are friends kiss each other on the cheeks, always 3 times makes the darkness of the plot feel less heavy, more natural. As he does in most movies, Almodovar tells a compelling story in this film, with flaved characters, in moments of struggle, with unmatched complexity and no conceitedness. Highly recommended.