Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Cecilia Roth | ... | Manuela | |
Marisa Paredes | ... | Huma Rojo | |
Candela Peña | ... | Nina | |
Antonia San Juan | ... | Agrado | |
Penélope Cruz | ... | Hermana Rosa | |
Rosa Maria Sardà | ... | Madre de Rosa (as Rosa María Sardá) | |
Fernando Fernán Gómez | ... | Padre de Rosa | |
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Toni Cantó | ... | Lola |
Eloy Azorín | ... | Esteban | |
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Carlos Lozano | ... | Mario |
Fernando Guillén | ... | Doctor en 'Un tranvía llamado Deseo' | |
Manuel Morón | ... | Doctor 1 | |
José Luis Torrijo | ... | Doctor 2 | |
Juan José Otegui | ... | Ginecólogo | |
Carmen Balagué |
Argentine Manuela Echevarria, an organ transplant coordinator at a Madrid hospital, ran off from her husband in Barcelona eighteen years ago upon learning that she was pregnant, their son, Esteban, who she has never told about his father despite his curiosity, and her husband who didn't know about the pregnancy when she ran off. An event coinciding with Esteban, an aspiring writer, turning seventeen leads to Manuela feeling the need to return to Barcelona to look for her husband. There, she ends up further acting as the maternal figure for people in need. One is a young nun named Sister Rosa, who she meets through her old friend, a transvestite prostitute who has assumed the name Agrado in her agreeable nature. Rosa has a strained relationship with her own conservative mother, as she is consumed with caring for her ill husband, who suffers from Alzheimer's. The other is actress Huma Rojo, currently appearing as Blanche Dubois in a stage production of A Streetcar Named Desire, which ... Written by Huggo
As this was my first Almodovar movie I didn't quite expect that much,was I ever going to be surprised.Almodovar is widely seen as the greatest Spanish cineast since Luis Bunuel,which I really like,and I must say that I concur with that.The resemblances between the two directors are also there,both use intense drama and comedy in one scene to great effect and both attack the church in a big way.
TODO SOBRE MI MADRE is simply one of the best drama's I've ever seen because of it's superb acting and difficult but inventive storyline.The characters are also very well worked out. Leading lady Cecilia Roth is sensational as the mourning mother and the rest of the cast isn't any worse.The supporting roles by Penelope Cruz,Marise Paredes and especially Antonia San Juan are great.San Juan is a real time transvestite which makes it even more realistic. Almodovar caused quite a commotion with this provocative film although it never goes over the line(at least not in my taste)but you should not be old fashioned or truly religious because then it will offend you.
The humor that is put in the film makes it an even better experience.The mixture of intense drama and comedy is perfect.Another brilliant addition is the great soundtrack.The mixture between harmonic classical pieces and jazzy compositions is magnificent.
I can't wait to see more of Almodovar's work. 9/10 (currently number 39 in my all time top 100 list)