Pedro Almodóvar directs Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit and Rossy de Palma in this Spanish melodrama where two very different mothers give birth at the same time and find their lives entangled.

Easily now my favourite Almodóvar. Less shrill but just as camp, colourful and sexy. The weaving soap opera story is quite emotionally granular and it has a wider political significance in a pregnant subplot about a mass grave that bookends the drama. The past cannot stay buried, some have benefited from the sins of Spanish forefathers, lies will eventually be dug up, it is the only way to move forward. Cruz is again wonderful here in a really meaty role that plays to all her strengths.

8

Perfect Double Bill: Volver (2006)

My wife and I do a podcast together called The Worst Movies We Own. It is available on Spotify or here https://letterboxd.com/bobbycarroll/list/the-worst-movies-we-own-podcast-ranking-and/