Volver [DVD] [2006]

Needed this DVD for an assignment but didn’t want to buy brand new as I won’t use it much.Great price and really good condition. DVD works well and was presented well in the packaging. Was delivered quicker than expected too.

Of all the most beautiful and moving films about motherhood, family and forgiveness, Pedro Almodóvar's Volver is pretty close to the top - probably neck and neck with All About My Mother (Todo sobre mi madre). Penelope Cruz’s performance as Raimunda, returning to her hometown after her mother’s death, is still spellbinding 20 years later and a high point in her career, especially in Spanish. It’s amazing how the humour carries across the language barrier, and that’s in part due to her unforgettable performance! The cinematography, costume design (as always) and twists and turns only add to the film’s perfection. Also worth noting is the accurate and faithful subtitling. A must-see for mothers, daughters and Almodovar fans - even if you’ve got no knowledge of the Spanish language.

Penelope Cruz gives a standout performance as Raimunda in this strange tale of a village where most of the men are lovingly tended to in cemetery plots. The story takes many twists and turns, but principally this is a tale about Raimunda's indefatigable spirit and protection of her daughter. Almodovar captures the rhythm and feeling of small town life in Spain as Raimunda enlists the services of her neighbors to revive a restaurant, which becomes the hub of activities while the owner is away. In so doing, Raimunda hopes to disguise the sinister events that have taken place. Raimunda's sister, Sole, harbors a blithe spirit of sorts, whose return provides the premise for the movie and eventually answers many questions that are put forward. Augustina completes this provincial triptych as a hippie of sorts, who is forced to come to terms with her life when she finds out she has cancer. The characters feed off each other in typical Almodovarian fashion, but it is a conventional movie by his quixotic standards, and one of his most satisfying efforts, as it is sure to appeal across a broad spectrum of viewers, especially given Penelope Cruz' excellent performance.

I bought this film hoping that it might aid my learning of the Spanish language. Whilst no fault of the film, I am struggling as not designed for easy listening. My excellent Spanish Darlington QE College teacher ( I am a mature retired student) suggested that Spanish films were often very gloomy. This film is certainly that with attempted rape then murder by the young stepdaughter and the hiding in the restaurant fridge by the mother of the body.However the elderly aunt and appearance of the deceased mother scaring her family all add a bit of hilarity.Listening recently to Radio 4, it suggested that Franco and the Civil War may still have a hold on the Spanish and that I can now well believe.I am used to the quirks of French films but will have to grow into the differences of Spanish films.However why not try it and make your own judgement?

Volver is a truly exceptional film and one well worth buying on DVD because it's the kind of film you're likely to want to watch time after time. The outstanding performances of all the actresses (and not just the delectable Penelope Cruz) are reason enough to delight the viewers, but in addition, despite the seriousness of the issues the film addresses, Almodovar has managed quite a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour. Indeed, at times it has an almost Dali-esque quality. A nice bonus is the interview with Almodovar and the actresses, all sitting around a big round table, and unlike some boring interviews one sometimes find as a bonus with DVDs of directors with an ego of Napoleonic proportions who just drivel on, this interview is worth the price of the DVD in itself.

Having seen this film three times in the cinema, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Each time I sat there with a wide grin planted firmly on my face. As the previous reviewer explained, you never quite know where this movie will take you next. Comedy, thriller, drama, mystery; Volver has it all! It will definately make you laugh, and probably trigger tears of emotion too.Penelope Cruz is a revelation. She is not only watchable (unlike her performances in English language films), but positively electric as she struts the streets of Madrid in a variety tight dresses, bouffant hairdos and stacked wedges. Not content with one award-worthy performance, Almodovar adds to this a supporting (almost all female) cast who play it pitch-perfect across the board.Don't miss this one!

Why does the version sold in europe not have subtitles, but the version sold in the US does?

I saw this when it came out in 2005 when I loved its strange humour and the beauty of the cinematography. Seeing it again -on a TV screen- I missed some of the latter but felt more of the underlying melancholy and the haunting nature of the theme -Volver, Return- which plays out in many different ways -of which I will say no more, but it is a masterpiece and more resolved in some ways than Woman on the Verge.

探していた映画でした。

This is great. A really really great film. This is the standard that Pedro has set. Penelope Cruz in her finest role. Watch this film over and over again.

Es la segunda vez que la compro, la segunda me llegó sin subtítulos en español, a pesar de que la pedí con ellos y así la anunciaban. Pero ahora todo correcto. Gran actriz Penélope Cruz y el resto del equipo también. La recomiendo mucho.

Venditore disponibile e cortese. Assolutamente consigliato anche per la varietà di prodotti disponibili!

Soy fan de Almodóvar, y me decidí tener su colección completa. Esto es misión imposible si no es por amazon.