Synopsis
Salvador Mallo remembers his life and career. From the sixties in a small village to present day as he struggles through illness and a feeling of emptiness. Telling the story of his life might be his salvation.
Review
I was very pleased to get a foreign language film pop up as an Unlimited Screening. I particularly enjoy Spanish films but my cinema never seems to get them. It was certainly an intriguing event to attend, it wasn't a secret that it wasn't in English, the title was listed as "Pain & Glory (Spanish)" and yet people still left when the title card came up. A grand total of 7 of us sat and watched in total. I wasn't surprised that hardly anyone showed up, I think a lot of people would have left if they came on a whim as it was a slow burn.
Mallo is living a lonely and slightly eccentric life in his apartment, he's becoming more of a recluse as time goes on. His biggest film is being screened again and they want to do a Q&A with him and the leading actor, his agent encourages him to attend, so he reaches out to mend the bridges between himself and Alberto. Alberto is less than happy to see him but the two bury the hatchet and sit down together.
The friendship brings drugs into Salvador's life and he uses it as an escape from the pain. He invites Aberto to his apartment and once the drugs take hold Alberto investigates his home. He turns on his computer and reads a moving and personal story, it's magnificent and he asks Salvador if he can perform it on the stage.
At 1 hour and 53 minutes it's not overly long but it feels like all of its length. I felt like I was about to get bored a lot but there was always something that kept me going. It probably could have lost 15/20 minutes but as it is the pace suited Salvador's general feeling and life.
Antonio Banderas is wonderful in this, very restrained and perfectly aligned with the character, it felt like a natural portrayal and everything was very believable. That's something that consistent throughout the cast. No matter the role you wouldn't question the performance. From the smaller parts to the main cast everyone brings a realness to their character.
Asier Etxeandia and Leonardo Sbaraglia star in a wonderful scene where Alberto ((Exteandia) is on stage performing a piece penned by Mallo. Federico (Sbaraglia) is in the audience reacting to the text. The emotion flowing from both actors was incredible and the story you glean from it is wonderful, if a little heartbreaking.
Penelope Cruz is always a delight to watch and this is no exception to that. She plays a young Jacinta, mother of Salvador. She's painted as a proud and hardworking woman and though she struggles she aims for the best for her son.
The older story of Salvador's childhood weaves together with the present day. It's a seamless transition but not entirely clear initially as to what is happening. It doesn't take long to get to grips with it though and the way the ending brings you full circle was an incredibly clever piece.
Pain & Glory's setting is beautiful and the different lives were captured perfectly on screen. From the caves to the apartment, everything had a muted and minimal palette that felt perfect for the subject matter. It somehow felt very laid back and relaxing.
I'm genuinely struggling to find anything to dislike about the film, there is a fair bit of drug misuse but even that isn't graphic or unnecessary to the story. It's a very thoughtful film and it definitely leaves an impression on you, I'm incredibly pleased I got to see this.
What you should do
It's a very niche film so it's A) definitely not for everyone and B) going to be difficult to find in mainstream cinemas, if it seems like your sort of thing though it will be worth trying to watch it at some point.
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