Opened: March 13, 2019

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas, Penélope Cruz, Asier Flores, Julieta Serrano, César Vicente, Cecilia Roth, Susi Sánchez, Raúl Arévalo, Pedro Casablanc, Julián López, Sara Sierra, Rosalía, Marisol Muriel, Paqui Horcajo & Agustín Almodóvar

In their eighth collaboration together, you can feel the trust between star Antonio Banderas and writer-director Pedro Almodóvar that enables them to tell such a deeply personal story.

Salvador Mallo (Banderas) is an aging film director who reflects on his past as a boy (Asier Flores) with his mother (Penélope Cruz) and their neighbor Eduardo (César Vicente), whom Salvador taught to write. Salvador also reconnects with old inspirations Alberto (Asier Etxeandia) and Federico (Leonardo Sbaraglia).

Banderas arguably gives the greatest performance of his career. There’s a rawness that he employs which lets you see Salvador in complete honesty. You’re able to connect with his story as he remembers his past while struggling in the present.

Almodóvar’s style is ever-present with focus on Salvador’s sexual identity and the intense colors that fill the world of his characters.

Final say: Beautifully realized. ★★★★★