Review of 'Pain and Glory'

Almodovar's latest. Slightly less complex story line, but I still needed to go over it afterwards to make sure I had everything sorted - there's a play within the film, and lots of flashbacks and memories, some of which turn about to be shots from a film rather than actual memories - or do they? That's a clever way to reflect on the nature of memory, which feels like film clips but isn't.

Penelope Cruz as the younger version of the male lead's mum is great (and less glamorous than usual).

Lots about heroin addiction that feels sensible rather than sensationalising...the doctor who is treating the main character for chronic pain in just about everything is sensible too...Almodovar may have it in for a lot of institutions but medicine always seems to come out well in his films.

Watched via laptop and informal distribution.