Pain and Glory

Name: Pain and Glory
Genre: Drama
Released: October 4, 2019
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Agustín Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Asier Flores, Cecilia Roth

2019

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 43 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 127 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 127 Ratings

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Pain & Glory

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: October 4, 2019 | Not Rated

Starring: Agustín Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Asier Flores, Cecilia Roth, César Vicente, Eva Martín, Julián López, Julieta Serrano, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas, Penélope Cruz, Raúl Arévalo, Rosalía, Susi Sánchez

Summary: Pain and Glory tells of a series of reencounters experienced by Salvador Mallo, a film director in his physical decline. Some of them in the flesh, others remembered: his childhood in the 60s, when he emigrated with his parents to a village in Valencia in search of prosperity, the first desire, his first adult love in the Madrid of the 80s,Pain and Glory tells of a series of reencounters experienced by Salvador Mallo, a film director in his physical decline. Some of them in the flesh, others remembered: his childhood in the 60s, when he emigrated with his parents to a village in Valencia in search of prosperity, the first desire, his first adult love in the Madrid of the 80s, the pain of the breakup of that love while it was still alive and intense, writing as the only therapy to forget the unforgettable, the early discovery of cinema, and the void, the infinite void created by the incapacity to keep on making films. Pain and Glory talks about creation, about the difficulty of separating it from one's own life and about the passions that give it meaning and hope. In recovering his past, Salvador finds the urgent need to recount it, and in that need he also finds his salvation. [Sony Pictures Classics]… Expand

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 113 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Jim Slotek

Oct 24, 2019

In evocative and understatedly emotional scenes, carried out with a mature grace by Banderas, we come to a connection of how we get where we are, and what holds us back from what we dream of becoming. Read full review

100

Josep Lambies

May 28, 2019

Almodóvar fills this poignant tapestry of recollections with bold colours and infuses them with emotional detail. It’s a deeply intimate experience and it’ll pierce your heart. Read full review

100

Manohla Dargis

Oct 3, 2019

A great deal happens in Pain and Glory, just not ritualistically and not at top volume. Its agonies are tempered, its regrets hushed, its restraint powerful. Read full review

Johnny Oleksinski

Oct 3, 2019

[A] sublime drama, sprinkled with moments of lightness. Read full review

Moira Macdonald

Nov 7, 2019

The gorgeous, perfect final shot of Pain and Glory — I might have gasped out loud — will make you feel glad to be alive, and in a movie theater. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

Aug 19, 2019

Pain & Glory might see Almodóvar working in a minor key but it is a major work, graced with career-best work from Antonio Banderas. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

May 17, 2019

The film often rings hollow. Read full review

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User Reviews

ChanekeCholo

Jan 17, 2022

"No es mejor actor el que llora, sino el que lucha por contener las lágrimas", primera autorreferencia que hablaremos de esta película, esto dicho por el personaje de Salvador Mallo dirigida justo para su interpretador Antonio Banderas, quien da una actuación magistral y seguramente la mejor"No es mejor actor el que llora, sino el que lucha por contener las lágrimas", primera autorreferencia que hablaremos de esta película, esto dicho por el personaje de Salvador Mallo dirigida justo para su interpretador Antonio Banderas, quien da una actuación magistral y seguramente la mejor de toda su carrera.
Al referirme al termino autorreferencial, quiero decir que esta película es una referencia a la referencia de la vida real, casi de cierta manera, una película que trata de la creación de esa misma película. Pedro Almodóvar dirige y autorreferencia su vida con este largometraje hecho con bastante corazón e irreprochable que al mismo tiempo funciona como una catarsis bastante sublime, no solo dirigida hacia el mismo director, sino a la audiencia. El caso fue tan profundo que sentí que todo el momento estaba teniendo Déjà vus por la manera en cómo está escrita y dirigida.
La cinematografía es excelente en todo momento, como si fuera un dibujo hecho a mano plasmando los momentos mas importantes de la vida de esta persona, inclusive la película hace una referencia a este aspecto.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Oct 4, 2019

El más nuevo trabajo de Almodóvar tiene un cierto aroma a autobiografía, acerca de un director y sus conflictos con sus demonios internos y actores de cabecera. Bien por Banderas, que vuelve a trabajar con el hombre que llevó de aventón a la cúspide. A ver.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

LamontRaymond

Oct 20, 2019

What a beautiful film. It's an absolute must-see for anyone with a heart. It would be an injustice if Antonio were not nominated for Best Actor.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Deanomite

Feb 5, 2020

The latest from Almodovar, very nicely photographed-the best of his so far, best photography i have seen this year. Penelope Cruz has not aged a day in 15 years. Antonio Banderas gives the best performance i have seen of him. Production values are highest of any Almodovar so far, theThe latest from Almodovar, very nicely photographed-the best of his so far, best photography i have seen this year. Penelope Cruz has not aged a day in 15 years. Antonio Banderas gives the best performance i have seen of him. Production values are highest of any Almodovar so far, the script is the weak spot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

pberra

Oct 5, 2019

Yet another beautiful, well-crafted film from Almodóvar. It may seem a bit slow to your average moviegoer but I enjoyed every minute of it. Kudos to Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz, and the rest of the wonderful cast. Well done!

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

DawdlingPoet

Nov 21, 2021

This is very much a philosophical sort of a film, in that it features various older characters (not elderly but, lets say middle aged people) who have lived and regretted things, enjoyed things, have a lot to think about and look back on. As is typical of Almodovar's films (the directorThis is very much a philosophical sort of a film, in that it features various older characters (not elderly but, lets say middle aged people) who have lived and regretted things, enjoyed things, have a lot to think about and look back on. As is typical of Almodovar's films (the director Pedro Almodovar), this film features numerous vibrant colours in the background of numerous scenes, whether they be within the houses of said characters, or in venues where films/film reels are shown and so on. This is a film that is definitely worth seeing specifically in high definition, preferably on a Blu-Ray disk, I'd say. I also liked the use of light in some scenes, giving an almost sort of faded spotlight sense visually.

I felt the cast did well in showing their emotional vulnerabilities on screen - it felt a very real, perhaps even somewhat raw in terms of the humanity aspect of it, watch, although I can understand why some people may argue that reasonably well off people who have had some success and find themselves somewhat washed up in later life, perhaps don't make the most obvious people to entirely feel sorry for. Still, I did feel quite engrossed in the film and while I wouldn't actively encourage the slightly destructive things the characters do, in response to their sense of loss of identity or despair, I feel I can perhaps understand why they do what they do, to an extent. I also liked that it shows male companionship and how it can make a difference to people going through the situation depicted, as well as how the main characters mother helped him see things too. Its somewhat sombre and emotionally raw in a way, in tone at times.

If your a fan of Almodovar's previous work, or Banderas work (although this is very much a slow drama film. rather than an action film) then I'd definitely recommend this. Otherwise, this is definitely worth a watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JordanLayton

Apr 28, 2020

This is a Spanish autobiographical film about the director's life. Unfortunately, I was not impressed or compelled with the director's life story. I've been told it becomes more meaningful if you're familiar with his other work, but I think a film should stand on its own feet and this oneThis is a Spanish autobiographical film about the director's life. Unfortunately, I was not impressed or compelled with the director's life story. I've been told it becomes more meaningful if you're familiar with his other work, but I think a film should stand on its own feet and this one does not. A LOT could have been cut out as well which really made this an un-enjoyable slog to get through. Antonio Banderas's performance is the only aspect of this film keeping it out of the gutter for me. He is simultaneously and subtly brave as well as cowardly depending on the perspective you take. Its a bit meta at times in a tasteful way, but there's just not enough here to chew on in terms of character or even film making overall.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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