Why you have to watch it
Reflections on the surprising cathartic benefits of Almodovar’s last creature: Dolor Y Gloria
You need to go to cinema and watch last Almodovar’s film, Dolor y Gloria.
The main reason for which is important to go an do that is this movie hurts, meaning it give you the chance to remember you are able to feel and be moved. Especially if you have interrupted somehow the connection with your inner self and with your emotional luggage.
The movie itself is a kind of introspection into Almodovar’s life, or better said a projection into the screen and a terrific example of meta-cinema.
I have to admit at the very beginning I was tempted to run away from the cinema.
Eventually I decided to stay. Why? Because I gave myself a chance guessing I have to wait and see. Just to wait and be surprised as this is a most intimate and meditative Almodovar’s movie.
Antonio Banderas is Salvador a movie director and a screen player: creatively switched off, annoyed, in search of something, sick.
To get away from his personal desert, he decides to ask for forgiveness to the main actor of his first ever movie. This is the first deed to start a journey into his very true life, whose climax is the relationship with his mother.
I have to repeat it: After the first ten minutes, I was going to give up and get out of the cinema. I just do not recognized it as an Almodovar’s movie. Plus, It was slow. Too slow. But then, I stayed. I was happy to do that. Because I gave myself the chance to appreciate how cannot be fast our journey inside ourselves.
A part from glorious dialogues, a little of marginal rainbow-mood in the story, a gorgeous Penelope Cruz loving mother, the movie is a pure Freud projection on the screen, telling you the truth about the real and foundational ambivalence of your entire life: the relationship with your mother.
Basically, I think Almodovar chose to shoot this movie to overcome it, being aware of it.
Dolor y Gloria, then, becomes a life mural on our life leading passions, friendship, lovers — we were not able to save just with our love — and family. And more, it is a movie into the movie. And in the end you know the reason of its rhythm, this slow time gating when you struggle to give your life a meaning. This process needs time.
So, please go and watch it. I swear nobody is paying me!
And if your are tempted to run away, please stay.
And if you feel like a punch in your stomach, hold on staying seated.
We need to realize we are alive
We need to reflect on life. And to feel this feeling of being impotent. Apparently.
But there is always a choice. Because what give us strength is the awareness of our leading-life-passion. Being humble to realize we can be stuck and keep going.
