Volver film redeemed by funny script

Volver

Director: Pedro Almodovar

Cast: Penelope Cruz, Lola Duenas, Carmen Maura, Blano Portillo

Cert: 15

Spain’s most celebrated director is famous for his quirky look at life, which makes his films either outstanding or, at best, indifferent.

The latter is the case here, though it is redeemed somewhat by an often funny script.

Here we meet Raimunda – an excellent contribution from Cruz – her daughter and layabout husband. Daughter kills father and mum hides the body in a restaurant she runs.

Enter now her long-dead mother who ‘returns’ to right some old wrongs.

The main problem in what might have been a decidedly quirky film is its lack of direction and shallowness of real character. Almodovar tries to slip us various messages about sex and human interaction but he doesn’t quite pull it off.

Star Rating: 2/5