Cecilia Roth,
Marisa Paredes,
Penelope Cruz,
Candela Pena,
Antonia San Juan
... see more 
Pedro Almodóvar directed this story of a woman and her circle of friends who find themselves suffering a variety of emotional crises. Manuela (Cecilia Roth) is a single mother who has raised her son, ... read more
Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Release Date: April 16, 1999
DVD Release Date: October 26, 2006
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Stats: 2,715 reviews
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Flixster Reviews (2,715)
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September 10, 2011fb1216165431All About My Mother is a challenge to the conservative and conventional on family and relationships. Masterful performances, even from the young Penelope Cruz. Outrageously beautiful.
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April 11, 2011It's nearly impossible to not be swept up in Pedro Almodóvar's melodrama "All About My Mother." It's a very affecting story that is clearly very personal and told with great care. The performances, especially from Cecilia Roth, are lovely and the cinematography is fluid and preci... read more
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January 29, 2011Manuela (Cecilia Roth) is the central character in this movie. She lives in Madrid with her son Esteban (Eloy Azorin),and for his birthday, she takes him to a production of Streetcar. The play holds special meaning for her as she played the role of Stella when she was younger. Th... read more
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December 24, 2010Not sure why, but it was not a grabber for me. To me, it was just an "ok" movie. I just did not connect with any of the players. I watched the whole thing, though it was a struggle. Interesting locale and very well made, but for some reason I was bored most of the time. I look ba... read more
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August 16, 2010WHAT? How have I not reviewed this movie yet? I watched this for extra credit in Spanish class and really ended up liking it. It's a gripping, extremely harsh story about sexual identity, HIV and family. Odd combo, right? Plus hottie Penelope Cruz is fantastic as always.
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August 10, 2010Either something is lost in translation or the dialogue in this film is the most stagnant, expository ever to appear in an Oscar-winner. Some of the performances were wooden at best. Many of the themes are faux-edgy and seem to come from nowhere with little development, and the ... read more
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July 28, 2010A grieving single mom leaves Madrid to search for her late son's transvestite father.
Fascinating blend of diverse dramatic elements into a cohesive and interesting story. An odd premise for a major motion picture but one that works perfectly. -
April 18, 2010Another near perfect film from Pedro Almodovar. The story is so consuming and powerful, that I feel it is almost impossible to not be able to relate to on some level. The idea of relationships between family and friends is so well told that you have automatic attachment to all th... read more
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October 24, 2008Another ?plucked from nowhere? story from Almodovar. Although this is a well known title, I didn?t feel this was quite as good as the other couple I have seen so far, yet just as unpredictable and again we really get to know the characters well throughout the story.
Another o... read more -
Critic Reviews
August 12, 2008
TIME Magazine
August 12, 2008
Jonathan Holland, Variety
An emotionally satisfying and brilliantly played take on the ups and (mostly) downs of a group of less-than-typical female friends. Full Review
August 12, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
For me it felt like a good many weeks at a politically correct summer camp. Full Review
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
All About My Mother, for all its self-deconstruction, is played with more sobriety and conviction than any of Mr. Almodóvar's previous films. Full Review
July 21, 2005
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle
Almodovar has called his near-unique creations 'screwball drama.' This finds him working at his best. Full Review
April 25, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
This self-styled 'screwball melodrama,' a dance of grief, comedy, coincidence and resilience -- has a genuine emotional impact unlike anything Almodovar has done before. Full Review
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Almodovar knows how to tug on the heartstrings, and his filmmaking skills are well-displayed. Nonetheless, some fans might come away disappointed. Full Review
May 11, 2001
Patrick Z. McGavin, Hollywood Reporter
A dedication to great women performers.
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
A surprisingly satisfying combination of bawdy sexual humor, genuine emotion and a plot with mechanics so excessive that Almodovar himself calls it 'a screwball drama.' Full Review
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