"Pain and Glory": Its Poised Elegance Is Matched By An Out Of Body Performance By Banderas

"Pain and Glory": Movie Review

Director Pedro Almodóvar's "Pain and Glory" hinges on its simplistic, but purposeful storytelling to devise a conceptually grounded take on a film directors haunted past. The films poised elegance is matched by an out of body performance by Antonio Banderas, whose constant heartbreak is demonstrated with a bleak desolation.

Salvador Mallo's (Banderas) current existence of perpetual drug and alcohol usage has taken over his daily routine. As Mallo's life continues to spiral, his past with family, relationships, and education has reared its formidable head.

Banderas is remarkable, and by a large margin, it's his finest performance to date. Almodóvar's personal filmmaking and Banderas' commitment to his role is a match made in heaven. The purposeful use of the color red Almodóvar applies to each scene, showcasing the anger, love and frustration that has culminated in Mallo's difficult life, is deeply profound.

From an old lover (Federico Delgado) to a washed up film actor (Alberto Crespo), each and every scene surges with this uncontrollable desire. Yet, it's not all perfect, as a flashback with Mallo's ill mother, comes across too heavy handed. And a Q&A with a group of interested audience members is futile, and diminishes the films hard hitting themes.

"Pain and Glory" perseveres through its blemish's and crafts a wonderful love story between a man and his art. The best foreign language film at the Oscars has a new front runner.

3 Stars Out Of 4