As a great screenwriter, Almodóvar weaves several flashback stories into a clear framework in The Room Next Door : a young girl in awe of a writer, the reunion of shared lovers, or a marvel of false fire rescue which already raises the question of voluntary death. Before reaching the heart of its subject: a real and timely female friendship, so that one accompanies as best she can the inevitable departure of the other. Without revealing too much of the surprises that Almodóvar, screenwriter, has in store, The Room Next Door will remain empty, between them, like an SAS to protect the living as much as possible from the shock of death.
Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore beyond words
The other shock will be aesthetic. As a great director, Almodóvar pays homage to the People of Dublin by John Huston and familiar with his idol Douglas Sirk, both in the use of colors as a consolation for melodrama, and in the transparencies of the sublime views of New York to continue dreaming of “pink snowflakes“. The filmmaker will use all his art as a balm to repair the living. Julianne Moore’s eyes and listening skills are a treasure of humanity, like the hug of a sports teacher or the health of her former lover (John Turturro). Hitchockian, maestro Almodóvar will even go so far as to reincarnate through the magic of cinema Tilda Swinton, beyond her years under the makeup.
Almodóvar : New York, New York !
Until deliver in fine a furious fight against the deadly laws preventing any freedom to dispose of one’s body (re-re-the splendid scene with the sports teacher, a marvel of non-conformist humor). “There are many ways to experience tragedy.” Lucid, in full possession of his means, Almodóvar will have chosen to exile himself in America as he exiles himself from the melodrama, contained in the fluidity of shots beautiful to fall like snow on New York, finding two great actresses to replay his own partition on the other side of the Atlantic. The first American film from a tragic filmmaker in full vitality, who has lost none of his malice. The first major film of the year.
The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodóvar (Esp-EU, 1h47) with Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Juan Diego Botto, Alvise Rigo… Starts on 8 January.
