Dolor Y Gloria (aka Pain And Glory) (2019)

A film director (Antonio Banderas) in ill health and whose career is in decline reflects on his childhood and memories of his mother (Penelope Cruz) while there is a resurgence in interest in him when one of his old films is restored and plays to new audiences. Directed by Pedro Almodovar (THE SKIN I LIVE IN), this autobiographical film is a lovely memory piece while still examining an artist's need to create and the emotional and mental blocks that can stymie that creativity. Antonio Banderas (who won the best actor award at the Cannes film festival for his performance her) gives his best performance in years. He almost always did his best work with Almodovar and I don't think I've ever seen him give a stronger performance. It's a lovely piece of restrained acting. The actresses playing his mother also bring some nice shading: Cruz as the younger version and Julieta Serrano as the older version. Those who were movie lovers as children should find much to appreciate and the final shot in the film should bring a smile to your lips. With Asier Etxeandia, Cecilia Roth, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas and Cesar Vicente.