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Parallel Mothers | 18 Years In The Making

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Parallel Mothers Review

Giving birth to his 22nd feature film, Pedro Almodóvar delivers a take on hidden maternal strife that may suckle more than it can bear. Parallel Mothers is the relatively unheard onscreen antidote to the ideal of perfect motherhood, and an insightful study of film leaving extended food for thought. 

Single thirty something Janis (played by Penelope Cruz) finds herself giving birth in tandem with teenager Ana (Milena Smit), sharing a hospital room and first steps into motherhood. Trying to find their feet in their own lives, the two are brought together again as questions about their two children begin to rise. Embroiled in each other’s lives for better or worse, Janis and Ana navigate the peaks and pits that come with being a parent—even the ones they’d rather not face. 

18 years in the making, it’s clear Parallel Mothers is a product of considerable thought. The detail packed into a two hour runtime is immense, juggling a platter of social and moral issues that many comparative features fail to address. This isn’t a surprise for an Almodóvar flick, from 2006’s ancestral haunting in Volver to terrorised searches in 1988’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Particularly noticeable is his offscreen relationship with Cruz, as Parallel Mothers charts their eighth time working together. There’s an air of enviable comfort in the pair’s craft, melding into the unease of cultural conversations that many would prefer are left unsaid.

In its efforts to highlight the gruelling nature of mothering young children, it overwhelmingly succeeds. Almodóvar’s directorial lens simultaneously showcases parental grief for an adolescent and ‘geriatric’ pregnancy with effortless amazement. There’s no rose-tint on unseemingly difficult things to deal with, from the physical act of giving birth to loss and lack of knowledge. A stark reminder that no one really knows what they’re doing, it’s heartening to see Janis and Ana providing what the other needs—Ana learns life’s basics without being patronised, while Janis is unconsciously grounded by her presence.

Falling somewhere between platonic and unnervingly romantic, the pair—along with biological father Arturo (Israel Elejalde) and best friend Elena (Rossy de Palma)—make an unexpected family unit. The inter-generational dynamics are what sets this situation apart, playing against conventional stereotypes for connecting with those outside your designated age bracket. At the same time, Parallel Mothers provides a refreshing take on becoming a mother later in life, by both social and medical standards. Beginning the film aged 39, Janis has no regrets—or trouble—with becoming a mother, never succumbing to trivial narrative hooks.

Exploring themes concerning death, history, social convention, parenthood, sexuality and identity, there’s a lot to dissect from the viewer’s eye. Instead of being a cohesive main course, the film’s premise can often feel like a concoction of sides on the visual plate. Rather than deep diving into one particular strand of narrative, the decision to include so much means context is left to be explored at merely a surface level. There’s a sense of untapped potential to Parallel Mothers, even when what is shown is undoubtedly compelling. 

From a mother’s need to work to a man’s ideals and a distinctive choice to use repetitive cycles of classical music, Parallel Mothers is a feast for the mind. With career-defining performances and much-needed cinematic representation, its subject delivery can fall flat while fighting for attention amidst an endless trove of detail. As Ana’s mother Teresa (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) highlights, it’s a mother’s job to please everyone—a sobering reality Almodóvar successfully spotlights.

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Disney

Disney’s Latest Star “Wish”

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Ariana DeBose as Asha in Wish (Disney)

Plot

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe—the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico—to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen.

Ariana Debose as Asha in Wish (Disney)

Movie Review (no spoilers)

The film is inspired by Disney’s centennial, which ties together a central theme across most of the Disney-related stories — of wishes and dreams coming true. One can view it as the origin story for the wishing star, albeit a funny star. Disney delivers a feel good story filled with humor and the occasional teases and links to other Disney-related works. Ariana DeBose braces the big screen as the hero, Asha who discovers a sinister secret about King Magnifico and his use of the wishes.

Ariana’s performance performance is amazing and I enjoyed listening to the songs she performed. I foresee “This Wish” topping the charts at Spotify soon.

This Wish by Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

Chris Pine plays the part of King Magnifico and delivers a good performance as the villain. We hear him sing a song alongside Ariana, At All Costs.

At All Costs by Chris Pine & Ariana DeBose (Spotify)

The story delivers the usual fun characters that Disney brings along in all stories, amazing graphics of a magical world, and an amazing song library for everyone to listen to. This movie is excellent for young and old, delivering a feel-good movie for all. Wish is yet another treasure in the world of Disney.

I’m really excited for the next 100 years of Disney magic. The movie Wish has the potential to become a sequel, or even provide potential spin-offs exploring the wishes and dreams of others in the magical Disney Universe.

My wish is for more many more years of movie magic from Disney. What is yours?

My rating is a 4 out of 5 for Disney’s Wish. Watch at a cinema near you and join in the Disney centennial celebrations!

Wish Official Trailer (Disney)

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Reviews

‘The Holdovers’ Review | Paul Giamatti, Alexander Payne Reunite For This Year’s Most Beautiful and Poignant Comedy

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Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa in 'The Holdovers' (Focus Features)

“They don’t make them like that anymore” is one sentence that we hear a lot when it comes to cinematic brilliance. Most of the times, it is used for titles that might be considered a classic. Sadly, this sentence is being used too often these days and even for those projects, that might not even qualify. However, Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is undoubtedly one of the movies that deserves to be called an instant classic and I can wholeheartedly say: “They don’t make them like that anymore.”

The holiday season has arrived and audiences want to see movies that makes them feel that holiday spirit. Although it is very rare to see both these qualities in the movies these days, ‘The Holdovers’ has quietly gained popularity among cinephiles this holiday season, emerging as one of the year’s best films among audiences.

The movie is set in a boy’s boarding school in New England in 1970. Paul Hunham is a stern yet brilliant professor who refuses to give passing grades to rich students just because their parents are some of the school’s biggest donors. He is firm and doesn’t let these brats take advantage of him. On the other hand, we have Angus Tully, who is the son of wealthy parents attending the school who tends to ready the students for top universities. It’s Christmas time and everyone is going home, but things take a wild turn for Hunham when he is forced to babysit for children whose parents are unable to let them return home for the holidays. Eventually, Tully ends up being the only child in Hunham’s supervision. As the two begin to spend time with each other, they slowly begin to know much more about each other and understand why they are how they are.

Dominic Sessa, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Paul Giamatti in ‘The Holdovers’ (Focus Features)

There is no doubt that Paul Giamatti’s role as Paul Hunham is one of his most compelling roles. Make no mistake, Giamatti has given several amazing performances, but Hunham turns out to be a role that makes audiences realise how truly amazing he is as an actor. The way he insults people in this movie is hilariously brilliant. It seems Giamatti had a lot of fun while shooting this film and went down the memory lane to prepare for the role. Giamatti is just breath-taking in this role. On the other hand, Dominic Sessa is truly a revelation here and delivers a performance that touches everyone’s heart. In the beginning, you might not like his character but as the story moves forward, you understand why he is like this and Sessa completely nails it.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph delivers a deeply heartbreaking performance as a grieving mother in the film. Randolph gives a detailed performance showing both deep sadness and moments of happiness. It’s a portrayal of grief that feels very genuine and touching.

Even though there are moments that makes the film touching, ‘The Holdovers’ is hardly a serious drama. It’s a very welcoming holiday movie that doesn’t shy away from being funny and absurd. These characters have faced sadness, loss, and pain. However, the movie bravely allows us to laugh alongside them, as their humorous shortcomings transform a typical holiday stay at home into unexpected hospital visits and adventurous trips spanning multiple cities. For many people, it will be nostalgic to see this old-school sweet holiday movie that they must have seen in their youth and takes them to a time where people cared about feelings.

All in all, THE HOLDOVERS is a moving, bittersweet comedy drama that instantly becomes a Holiday classic. A story where you’d think how emotions don’t change even though life has.

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Reviews

‘Nightingales In The Cocoon’ Review | A Captivating Tale Celebrating Hope and Joyous Shared Moments

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Official poster of 'Nightingales in the Cocoon' (Unchained Pictures)

Nightingales in the Cocoon is a vivid and heartwarming portrait of transformation and connection in a bustling city. The short beautifully captures the essence of hope, resilience, and the power of shared experiences. In just five minutes, this story carries a profound message that transcends its simplicity. Dharavi, often characterized by its challenging environment, serves as the backdrop for the story’s beginning. It sets the stage for two children’s life-altering decision to break free from their past. This decision, in itself, is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the pursuit of a better life.

The symbolism of leaving behind what is perceived as “trash” is a powerful metaphor for shedding the burdens of the past. The discarded keyboard, seemingly insignificant, becomes a symbol of forgotten dreams and overlooked opportunities. As fate would have it, two young kids in Navi Mumbai stumble upon this abandoned keyboard, which becomes the catalyst for a heartwarming journey. The excitement and curiosity the keyboard sparks in them are relatable and heartening. It reminds us of the pure joy that simple discoveries can bring, especially to young minds eager for new experiences.

A still from ‘Nightingales in the Cocoon’ (MUBI)

The act of acquiring batteries to breathe new life into the neglected instrument is a moment of resourcefulness and determination. It’s a reminder that even in the face of challenges, a little effort can rekindle lost passions and unlock new possibilities. The transformation of the once-silent keys into a source of melodies that fill the air is a beautiful metaphor for the transformative power of art and creativity. The kids’ dance to these newfound tunes is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures and the joy of shared experiences.

This story serves as a reminder that shared moments of happiness can bridge the gaps between individuals and communities. In the bustling city where stark contrasts exist, the shared joy and rekindled dreams bring people together. It’s a testament to the universal language of music and the ability of the human spirit to find connections even in the most unexpected places.

Nightingales in the Cocoon beautifully captures the essence of hope, resilience, and the universal desire for connection and joy. It’s a brilliant and simple narrative that reminds us of the beauty in the everyday moments of life and the power of transformation and human connection.

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