Julieta

It's a testimony to Almodóvar and Alice Munro, whose short stories form the core of the film, that a woman's lifetime can be captured in such a spare, condensed, yet utterly realistic way. I had expected to love this film, as with his others, but this was different in its restraint. His meditation on the love, grief, and happenstance that form the threads of Julieta's life are overwhelming in their beauty. Images such as the running stag, the churning ocean, reveal the connection all forms of life have with the natural environment, and how they all must end. I won't reveal the film's ending, but I found it hopeful and deeply satisfying.

One of Almodovar's more straight-forward movies. It's about a woman who suffers a series of profound losses over the course of her adult life. At her lowest point, she says "I felt like I wasn't participating in anything; each event just foretold the next." I admire what Almodovar was trying to do here, but to be honest, the movie didn't really draw me in to the same degree as some of his really great films. I always have a hard time enjoying movies where key roles are played by multiple actors representing characters at different ages. Almodovar has a tendency to do that (Bad Education comes to mind), because he's always trying to go deeper and deeper into the character, and it always takes him into the character's past. In my opinion though, using multiple actors isn't the way to do it. When you're swapping actors in and out like that, it's hard to get really good chemistry, good interactions, between the various actors. This movie unfortunately is really lacking in those kinds of dynamics. In the section between the mother and her teenaged daughter, for example, there are really no scenes between them that convey the undercurrents that the plot depends on. I think Almodovar was aware of it and tried to explain it later when the mother says "We didn't really talk very much, " but to me that was just a way of excusing the lack of engagement between the actors. Don't get me wrong. I'd see a movie like this over most movies playing in theaters any day. But Almodovar has a really heavy reputation, and it's hard not to compare anything he comes out with to his superb movies of the past.

Spanish Director Pedro Almodovar has matured into a fine filmmaker through the years. JULIETA is arguably his most "real" film with entirely relatable characters. Maybe part of the charm of JULIETA is the fact that it is based on short stories by Alice Munro.Middle-aged Julieta (Emma Suarez) is about to leave Madrid to move to Portugal with her boyfriend Lorenzo (Dario Grandinetti) to start a new life. Life seems good for Julieta but a long-held secret comes back to haunt and obsess her.JULIETA is a tragically beautiful story of fate and its consequences. We've all had fate intervene in our lives sometimes for the good and sometimes for the worse. Unlike other Almodovar films, the characters in Julieta are real and relatable. They could be any of us. Almodovar takes us back to the past with a gorgeous Adriana Ugarte as the young Julieta - a brilliant teacher. Fate intervenes a change meeting with Xoan (Daniel Grao) and Julieta embarks on a new path of love. Her life is changed forever.Here is a beautiful and moving story of people living their lives and how fate intervenes through no one's fault. Although our main characters are good and likable, Almodovar throws in one of his favorite regulars Rossy de Palma as Xoan's cold and calculating housekeeper Marian. De Palma channels the spirit of Margaret Hamilton as Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West from THE WIZARD OF OZ. It's only Marian's words that often start a chain reaction of fate.JULIETA is such a beautiful and heartfelt story of love and loss and misunderstandings. Almodovar does an amazing trick of the hand when turning young Julieta into middle-aged Julieta almost in front of our eyes in one of the best moments of "aging" ever seen in a film.I was moved by JULIETA and the rich characters and beautiful and thought provoking storylines. It is one of Almodovar's best films.

Thought this would be typical Almodovarian melodrama (which it is) adaptation of Munro’s stories (that too) but I did not expect to be so moved and devastated. This film had me hurting for months, still haven’t recovered. While I kept criticizing certain decisions and while I didn’t not know the plot, I was surprised in how affective the film is in its touch. While not his signature film, it might be his most Almodovarian; the recipe is one you’ve tasted before, a secret yet familiar recipe, only this reencounter feels different. This film marks an end to a certain Almodóvar, obvious with his latest effort (another masterpiece, but dare I say different). Thought I would be indifferent at best about this film. Highly recommended, though proceed with caution. A masterpiece

Colorful, humorous, intriguing relationship betw mother and daughter as Almodovar interprets women to women stories.

A fine and moving late-period film by Almodovar. Based on a series of short stories by Alice Munro, but cohesive and reasonably compelling. Very much in the Almodovar vein, complete with someone in a coma and assorted tragedies leavened by the passage of time. Excellent performances (two actresses in the same role) and the usual ace music. Sony has done a good job with the Almodovar catalog and this, too, has fine images and sonics. Probably won't be a Criterion title, so jump on it.

I love Almodovar, but this one didn't grew on me. It is a great movie, worthy to watch but certainly will be among my least favorite Almodovar film.

Gripping soap opera, but no great work of art. Clumsy, in fact.

I am so pleased that I have enjoyed another film from Pedro Almodóvar, basically as I found his last film – “I’m So Excited”, to be such a big disappointment, and difficult to understand without knowing about Spanish Politics, which I don’tAlthough I have enjoyed some other Almodóvar films more than “Julietta”, (“Todo Sobre mi Madre” and “Volver” will be difficult films even for the director himself to better for me), “Julietta” I found to be indeed a very good and very enjoyable film.It oozes quality throughout the film, in everything from the cinematography, the acting, the music, the story, and of course the directing. It is based on some stories by Canadian author Alice Munro, and is essentially a Mystery Drama. The two lead actresses – Emma Suárez, and Adriana Ugarte are amazing, as are the supporting cast and especially so Inma Cuesta.(Try and avoid finding too much about the story as then the film will not have the mystery element that it should have.)There are very legible English Subtitles on the DVD. They are on the main film and the special features but they are not optional.On the DVD you get:“Julietta” (1 hour 34 minutes)Scene SelectionSpecial Features:Behind the Scenes (10 minutes)Trailer

I’m a fan of almodovars films. This is definitely in his top 4 or 5 for me.There is an element of serendipity in the film for me which added to my enjoyment of it.The absence is heartbreaking (ausencia llena mi vida), I felt it visceral.I have already watched this three or four times and will definitely watch several times more (at least)

He never fails to please - to entice, excite, beguile and ultimately satisfy. Here Almodovar gives us another female relationship zinger, a gentle and poignant study of mother and daughter adrift from each other - with a chance encounter destined to reunite them. Along the way, a small glimpse into the mother's attempt to follow her own life and love; but ultimately it's about loss, grieving, searching and the chance for renewal. Don't expect a Hollywood ending, because mercifully he never gives us that: nonetheless, it's perfectly satisfying and leaves room for optimism - without the pink ribbon to tie it up.

Very good movie that does not try too hard, very good acting and story telling. The story revolves around one main message that is very well communicated at the end.

not as good as the Alice Munro stories - ending is too unambiguous and neat, giving it a very different sense than the original - but the acting is very good and it's a well made and moving film