“Volver”
Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar. Starring: Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Yohano Cobo.
In “Volver”, from director Pedro Almodóvar, a group of women come to terms with the secrets of their past. The film opens on a scene where Raimunda (Cruz), her daughter Paula (Cobo), and her sister Sole (Duenas) are gathered at a cemetery cleaning and polishing graves and tombs. It’s tradition in their town to take care of these places. Agustina (Portillo), a friend of the family who is dying of cancer, visits her own plot often and she says the experience “relaxes” her. The living’s connection to the dead and even more than that- the power the dead have over the living- is a strong theme within this film. All the characters are dealing with the deaths of important people in their lives.
Near the beginning of the film, Raimunda, Sole and Paula visit their Aunt Paula and her neighbor Agustina. Their Aunt isn’t doing well and mentions seeing her sister Irene, their mother, who’s been dead for years. They are concerned for her mental health, but feel Agustina is taking care of her. Soon after, their Aunt dies. Raimunda and Paula are unable to attend her funeral due to a predicament of their own. Agustina comforts Sole at the funeral. While there, Sole sees what she believes to be the ghost of her dead mother (Maura).
At this point in Raimunda and Sole’s lives they are both in desperate need of a mother. Raimunda’s husband is a deadbeat and Sole’s divorced and alone. Their parent’s deaths still weigh heavily on their minds.
A lot of stories involve character’s pasts coming back to haunt them. This film is somewhat similar, but with a bit of a twist. In many ways, the past does haunt these characters. But while some mysteries of the past may be unpleasant, some elements of their return are cathartic and offer respite. Second chances aren’t usually available to us, but when given the chance, embracing them can be our salvation.
Story: B
Acting: B+
Visuals: B
Originality: B
Enjoyability: B+
Overall: B
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