Ronak Kotecha, Mar 9, 2022, 04.46 PM ISTCritic's Rating: 4.0Story: When two pregnant women end up sharing a hospital room, their lives become intertwined in more ways than they can imagine. As their paths cross again, one of them decides to conceal shocking truths that could change the course of their life.
Review: It’s the winter of 2015 in Madrid when Janis (Penélope Cruz) – a beautiful woman in her late thirties meets renowned forensic archaeologist Arturo (Israel Elejalde) for a photoshoot. They connect instantly and end up in bed with a mutually agreed no strings attached equation. Janis also asks him to help excavate a mass grave in her hometown where her people were killed and buried during the Spanish Civil War. Soon, Janis becomes pregnant and decides to keep the baby and raise the child, as a single mother. At the hospital, she meets a young teen Ana (Milena Smit), whose pregnancy is also accidental. Their situation is similar but their mindsets couldn’t be more diverse. While Janis is looking forward to raising her child alone, Ana isn’t ready to become a mother, just yet.
Celebrated filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar uses this contrast to build the basis of his narrative that slowly unravels the twist in a very matter-of-fact way. In his trademark style, Almodóvar drives his story through the nuances of human nature and relationships, especially his women characters, who evolve beautifully through the course of the film. The storytelling is unhurried and uncomplicated with characters that depict real, flawed people. The tranquil setting of his home country Spain, compliments the subject that doesn’t require any unnecessary frills or drama to connect with its audience. It’s niche but relatable.
Penélope Cruz, looking radiant and resplendent in a role that seems to be written only for her, delivers a superbly restrained performance. It’s hard to take your eyes off her, as she goes about making the hard choices for Janis. Cruz does it so effortlessly and it’s a delight to watch her perform in her mother tongue with precision. Milena Smit holds on to her own opposite Cruz, as the rebellious teenager, who evolves into a mother even as she is yearning to live life on her own terms. Aitana Sánchez-Gijón is adorable as Ana’s ambitious mother, who is well aware of how her career aspirations are making her child pay. Israel Elejalde is perfectly cast as the considerate and caring Arturo.
In stories like these, there are no villains. There are only real people in situations that compel them to make the difficult choices. You’d often find yourself asking, “What would I do, if I were in his/her place?” There are only answers, no rights or wrongs. Almodóvar seems to give his audience that space to ponder over. He packs in another subplot of the history of those killed in a civil war and that seems like a bit of a diversion, but thankfully, it’s restricted towards the climax.
The strength of this artsy film lies in strong performances and genuine characters. Almodóvar delivers a heartrending drama about love, life and relationships with a pop of colours that never let it slip into the dark recesses of hopelessness.