Volver DVD > Reviews > Get ready to be... intrigued.

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Not applicable

Advantages:	Can't say that I know as yet .  .  .  still thinking about it !
Disadvantages:	Subtitles .  .  .  most definitely .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is one of those witty little movies that get thrown our way now and again, the type of movie that is seemingly low-budget (probably is), with a small cast and a village scene that is typically Spanish (at least I think it was)... see how confused this movie has made me!!??

Seriously, Cruz is excellent in this movie in the role of a once abused child who grew up way too quickly, married a total ba***rd (can't say that word here, but you get it), and had a beautiful girl who is innocence incarnate... but, unfortunately ends up killing her father (or is he... hmmmm... don't want to spoil it). Cruz goes on a mission to save her child by getting rid of her husband's body... not an easy task.

Anyways... added to the plot are Cruz's dead mother who turns out not to be dead, a dying aunt on a mission to find her long lost mother, a village filled with gossips, and a sister who is just a touch too gullible...

From the start, the movie is quirky... intriguing... it starts off with the local women gathered at the cemetery to clean up the headstones and plant flowers over the graves of their deceased loved-ones... sort of like a block party with loads of chatter and gossip! The movie quickly moves on from quirky to downright strange... a touch of humour here and there... endearing characters... but in the end, a very serious tragedy, a tragedy, unfortunately, that is glossed over and never really discussed.

The dialogue is quick and witty (don't forget... subtitles on this one)... the characters interesting and charming... but I couldn't help but feel that serious matters were glossed over and became inconsequential. Sometimes an uncomfortable movie... often amusing... sometimes both at once. One thing is for certain, there's never a dull moment, and the movie ends before you're actually ready for it to end.

I saw this movie only last night, and still I haven't decided just how much I liked it... perhaps I'll never know, but I definitely do recommend it.

It's worth viewing.