All About My Mother (1999)

Parkinson calls the film an inspired, mature and moving comedy-drama. He praises its allusions to All About Eve and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Ebert gives the film a strongly positive verdict. He praises its compassionate treatment of grief and its vivid performances.

Cole praises the film as tender, empathetic, and thematically complex. He singles out the Blu-ray’s vivid color rendering and strong image clarity.

French calls the film a masterpiece and praises Almodóvar’s deft interweaving of its plots and themes. He also singles out its handling of grief, AIDS, Alzheimer’s and sex-change operations without callousness or sentimentality.

Newman gives the film a warmly enthusiastic verdict, praising its emotional force without losing its absurdist humour. He singles out the performances, especially those of Roth and Cruz.

Holland finds the film emotionally satisfying and brilliantly performed, while noting that its melodrama is balanced by wit and empathy. He praises the ensemble, especially Antonia San Juan’s comic relief, but says the glossy visuals sometimes distract from emotional realism.

The critic gives the film a positive assessment. The review singles out the strange, unconventional bonds of kinship for praise.

The page is labeled a film review, but its article text is unavailable. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be determined.

Denby finds the film an unconvincing turn toward seriousness, saying it feels perfunctory and lacks spirit. He praises the live-wire teasing and solidarity among the women, while regretting that the film’s sadness dims its theatrical energy.

The critic finds the film emotionally intense, expertly directed and playfully naughty, though its unusual characters may be difficult to relate to. He praises how their genuine problems and complicated lives put Manuela’s grief into perspective.