OK Go!

Almond Dove Bar

That's how a hearing-impaired person I know refers to Pedro Almodovar, whose latest film, "Volver," I saw yesterday afternoon. "Volver" - literally, 'to return', shows his talent aging like fine wine, adding subtle new flavors and textures to the palate. Almodovar and I go back as far as 1989 and my stay in Argentina when that country was crumbling under the weigth of hyperinflation and hopelessness. "In times like these we need to laugh," trumpeted one movie ad. It was actually refering to "The Naked Gun." : - ) But Almodovar had made a louder splash with "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," which hit such a nerve - and earned so much money - that three previous Almodovar films were also released - the only time any director ever had four simultaneous big hits in Argentina (and perhaps anywhere else).

17 years and 9 films later, "Volver" brings the quirkiness, improbable plot twists, brightly colored sets and nostalgic Latin music that have always been Almodovar's strengths. But like his last few films, the characters are more richly nuanced and less campy. These nervous but resilient women face down life, family, sex, and mortality. And this time "Breakdown" ignenue Carmen Maura (at left, under the bed) is the grandma - gloriously wrinkled, pudgy, and wistful, and Penelope Cruz (in poster, above) is her older daughter - both are award-worthy performances. Not to be missed...