'All About My Mother (1999)' is an exploration of the past and our intangible relationship with it. Returning home is never quite as simple as one may think, as our protagonist discovers when she sets out to locate her ex-partner. When she arrives in her home town, a whole host of old friends and memories come out of the woodwork to bask her in an odd kind of nostalgia, one that feels keenly present even if it can't quite be identified. The picture as a whole has this enigmatic vibe running throughout it, even though its initial mystery isn't actually what it's about and barely has any play in its midsection. Instead, the story plays out as a sort of 'slice of life' for its central characters. It doesn't have an especially tight plot, yet it's distinctly compelling. It's about character above all else. It's a film about women, which you may expect with an Almodóvar affair, and it also deals with a variety of typically taboo subjects in an open-minded, empathetic way. In this sense, it sort of champions the overlooked and downtrodden, refusing to pass judgement on any of its characters. Plus, although no trans actors appear, the piece does an excellent job with trans representation. In the end, it's a colourful, affecting and seemingly unrestricted experience. 7/10
Review of All About My Mother
