Volver (DVD)

So, ‘Volver’, the Spanish verb ‘to return’, which is exactly what the beautiful and vivacious Penelope Cruz has done to where she is most appreciated—Spanish film, and who better to team up with her than the great Pedro Almodovar. After her strategic partnership with Tom Cruise to break Hollywood and try to be the new Salma Hayek, the split was inevitable, especially after Vanilla Sky, the equally gorgeous Paz Vega the latest transient Tinsletown Latina totty! The thing is with Cruz (for this best actress in Cannes 2006) she was already an excellent actress in her native country, particularly sensual and sexy in ‘Jamon Jamon’, and this dazzling ...  Read the complete review

Volver (To Return) is the most recent film by Spain's most well known and successful film director, Pedro Almodovar. I am a fan of almost all of Almodovar's films, and even decided to do my A Level Spanish oral presentation on his life and films. I did my exam about him today, and so I decided that now would be a good time to review my favourite of his many films. *Synopsis* Volver is the story of the women in a small family living in Spain in the present day, both in the capital city Madrid, and in a village in Castilla la Mancha. The story starts with sisters Raimunda and Sole, and Raimunda's daughter Paula, scrubbing their mother's grave, who ...  Read the complete review

***FILM ONLY REVIEW*** Volver was released in 2006 by the Spanish writer and director Pedro Almodóvar, his 16th feature since he began his directing career in 1980. I've been a fan of Almodóvar for many years and have been pleased to see him break into the worldwide market since his 1999 film All About My Mother. Volver stars Penelope Cruz, now a famous Hollywood actress who began her career in Spain. In recent years she has returned to her home country and has worked with Almodóvar more recently in Broken Embraces. Almodóvar often has a favourite female actress or "muse", and Cruz seems to be his latest. Literally translated, ...  Read the complete review

Title: Volver (Return) Director: Pedro Almodovar (Spain) Cast: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Chus Lampreave Production: El Deseo D.A. S.L.U. Distribution & Sales: Pathe Distribution & Focus Feature International Running Time: 121 mins., subtitled, R15 Merits: Winner of Best Screenplay Award and Best Actress Award, Cannes Film Festival 2006; Film of the year, San Sebastian International Film Festival (Spain) “A gripping return to form… the twists are delicious… the women are a sassy joy” – THE TIMES ********** THE past two weeks were really toxic and tiring days. I had my annual ...  Read the complete review

Having decided we were going to the cinema, my boyfriend and I were faced with a long list of films we didn’t want to see – it was the last week of the school summer holidays and the cinema was definitely catering for children. I knew Volver starred Penelope Cruz, of whom I’m not particularly a fan, but that was about the limit; nevertheless it seemed the best of a bad lot and so we went to see it. It was probably the best decision I made in a long time – this film is original and totally engrossing – Penelope Cruz has certainly gone up in my estimation. The story Sisters Raimunda and Sole lost their parents a while ago in a fire, so they are surprised ...  Read the complete review