Not many films focus on death. This is one of the best
Not a typical Almodovar film. This is more of a showcase of Moore and Swinton's synergy. Two great actresses pouring over the inevitable door of death together.
When you're young and spry, and still have your whole life ahead of you, this film may come off as artsy, meandering, and possibly even soulless. But when you're past the age of 50, and your body is suddenly aching in places that give you a hard time getting out of bed - maybe even walking around all day - this film starts to have some gravity.
I did not want to watch this. I'm 54, and I didn't feel like seeing a slow drama about the walking dead. But I'm a fan of Almodovar, Moore, and Swinton. It wasn't an option, I had to see it.
Glad I did. Very poignant and somber in its unfolding process.
This isn't The Seventh Seal. Or Ghost. It doesn't deal with fantasy-laden versions of facing your own mortality. The Room Next Door is a more realistic portrayal, but that's not to downplay what films have come before dealing with this topic, or their more fantastical ways of feeding it to viewers onscreen. This is a case of 'would you like to see Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton deal with death on the silver screen?'
It's basically that. I for one was not asking for this, but I'm glad it happened. I am happy to have seen this film. It's now my go-to when I want to see something about dying with dignity.
Almodovar, you did a solid with this. Kudos to you!
When you're young and spry, and still have your whole life ahead of you, this film may come off as artsy, meandering, and possibly even soulless. But when you're past the age of 50, and your body is suddenly aching in places that give you a hard time getting out of bed - maybe even walking around all day - this film starts to have some gravity.
I did not want to watch this. I'm 54, and I didn't feel like seeing a slow drama about the walking dead. But I'm a fan of Almodovar, Moore, and Swinton. It wasn't an option, I had to see it.
Glad I did. Very poignant and somber in its unfolding process.
This isn't The Seventh Seal. Or Ghost. It doesn't deal with fantasy-laden versions of facing your own mortality. The Room Next Door is a more realistic portrayal, but that's not to downplay what films have come before dealing with this topic, or their more fantastical ways of feeding it to viewers onscreen. This is a case of 'would you like to see Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton deal with death on the silver screen?'
It's basically that. I for one was not asking for this, but I'm glad it happened. I am happy to have seen this film. It's now my go-to when I want to see something about dying with dignity.
Almodovar, you did a solid with this. Kudos to you!
- keal
- Mar 1, 2025