I think we only get a few chances at meaningful relationships. [U]sually we move to different people; sometimes we can have a new relationship with the same people.
Piña, the bleached hair spaniard, a psychotherapist and sexologist, played by Penélope Cruz.
I envy her accent.
a scene that resonated
INT. ROOM - DAY (SF)
Soft piano music plays.
OLIVIA
We had great sex all the time. We were best friends. And then you just decided to be miserable.
The piano stops abruptly. Silence.
JOE
Are you fucking kidding me?
–
JOE
Just let me be not happy.
Lines that made me laugh in silence:
I’m sorry your wife passed away and I’m glad you found a woman who would peg you after you didn’t let your wife peg you.
Profound.
Angela, would you fuck yourself?
Basically, “Would you date yourself?”
What’s better? To have happy parents who are separate? Or miserable parents who stay together for the children?
Bit cliche.
We just wanted to see the apartment…and fuck a little.
Always reminding the objective.
Immediate Review
★★★☆☆
I’ll have to sit with the ending a bit longer for fair review, but here’s my immediate reaction to it:
Olivia’s acting throws me off. I like that her films are always stunningly shot–the structural lines and interior framing creating a scene within a scene, and the harmonious color palettes paired with lighting and music that pull the characters’ emotions together.
Yet ultimately the dialogues and plot just fell flat for me. I’ve watched Don’t Worry Darling (2022) too, which falls short for that reason too. Actually worse; the plot made no sense I remember. This latest one is one that aims to capture the subtle dynamics and intricacies of love, but fails to strike a cord with me, unlike The Drama (2026) does.
I know I’m not pinpointing what’s bad about, it maybe it is because there’s not enough substance for me to pull from… I’ll deliver something more concrete when I think of it.