It's a truly remarkable look back at the career of filmmaker "Salvador Mallo" (played by Antonio Banderas), who finds himself facing physical challenges like pain medication dependence and limited movement, prompting him to revisit his past. It feels destined to become recognized as a significant work. This is Almodóvar working in his most straightforward style, blending reality with fiction so skillfully that it’s difficult to grasp your own feelings while viewing the film. Banderas gives an exceptional performance, bringing both emotional depth and humor – there's plenty of the latter to balance out the more poignant moments – with great expertise. Penélope Cruz, who appears increasingly captivating each time she’s present, portrays his mother and even sings; it’s hard to imagine anything else needed. Logically, this kind of reflection shouldn’t necessarily be enjoyable, but the journey of self-understanding provides a surprising sense of satisfaction, and there's also humor to appreciate.

Source on TMDB