Our Review

            Movie: THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

     Rating: PG-13, thematic content, strong          language, and some sexual references`

                          Length: 1:47

          Release Date: December 20, 2024  

Jeanne: Based on the novel “What Are You Going Through” by Sigrid Nunez, Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, is a grand showcase for the immense talents of Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. According to Almodóvar himself, “People talk a lot in my films.” and THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is no exception.

Moore plays Ingrid, an autofiction novelist, who learns at one of her book-signing events that her close friend, Martha (Swinton), has cancer. They had worked together at the same magazine when they were much younger. Then Martha went on to become a war reporter and Ingrid began writing novels.

As life got in the way, the two women lost touch. Martha had a daughter when she was still a teenager and never married the father. Her constant traveling as a war correspondent created a strained relationship with her child, and they became estranged. Both Martha and Ingrid shared the same lover, Damian Cunningham (John Turturro), during their time at the magazine. Martha moved onto many others, but Ingrid kept in contact with Damian.

Now, with no real hope for a cure for her diagnosis of cervical cancer --- and many new treatments which haven’t worked --- Martha has decided she wants to end her life on her own terms. She’s looking for someone to be with her when she passes, and she asks Ingrid to be that person. At first, Ingrid, who is terrified of death, says no. But after careful consideration, she acquiesces to Martha’s request.

Almodóvar, who wrote the screenplay and directs (this is his first English-language film), is simply a brilliant filmmaker. I have loved and admired his work going back to WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (1988 with a very young and very handsome Antonio Banderas). And THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is no exception. His script is a triumph. The dialogue is natural, moving and extremely powerful. He credits his two stars, Moore and Swinton, and of course, he is right.

Their performances are understated, dramatic and --- most importantly --- perfect. Moore is a marvel as the understanding yet heartbroken Ingrid who comes to accept her friend’s momentous decision. It’s a tough ask on Martha’s part. Three others turned her request down. But Ingrid turns out to be the ideal choice. It’s not easy to portray someone who is a good listener without losing the audience, but Moore is stellar as the friend Martha needs the most as she enters the final phase of her life.

And Swinton is at her best. She has always been a quiet actor, allowing her unusual --- and magnificent --- face to speak volumes. Martha is resolute in her decision to end her life, but she is desperate not to be alone. She’s lived an incredible and exciting life, but now she is no longer interested in prolonging her own suffering. There is no one better to play Martha --- Swinton is mesmerizing.

I had reminded David going in that Almodóvar’s films contain a lot of dialogue, but he triumphantly remained awake. Part of that is due to the incredibly divine soundtrack by composer Alberto Iglesias, a frequent collaborator with Almodóvar. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is a wonderfully poignant tribute to the power of the word --- spoken and unspoken.

Theater release Dec 20, 2024

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David: Two former work colleagues reunite after many years apart when one learns that her friend is dying of cancer. Ingrid (Julianne Moore) is a successful author and Martha (Tilda Swinton) had a long career as a war correspondent. When Ingrid visits Martha in her hospital room for the first time, the feeling-out process begins.

These two consummate old pros, plus veteran actor John Turturro in a supporting role, carry the day for writer/director Pedro Almodóvar’s latest gem. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is also the Spanish filmmaker’s first full-length feature in English.

Martha has had it with experimental drugs as an option to cure her cancer. Her graphic description of side effects provides the audience with a reasonable basis for her desire to end her life with dignity by ingesting a euthanasia pill obtained, she says, on the “dark web”. She has no family, to speak of, save an estranged daughter. The catch in Almodóvar’s adaptation of the novel “What Are You Going Through” by Sigrid Nunez is that Martha wants her suicide to be accompanied by a close friend. Ingrid is understandably unsure of what to do, but she quickly reaches the only decision she could make.

One might assume that a woman dying of cancer and the subject of euthanasia could be depressing, even a sordid set of circumstances. The truth is that under the guiding hand of the brilliant Almodóvar and his two marvelous leads, this movie has much more going for it.

The dialogue is fascinating. We watch things unfold while also considering what if we were asked to assist or witness a dying friend’s last breath? Kudos must also go to editor Teresa Font for her intelligent and effective alternating of facial shots of Ingrid and Martha. As they each speak, we are always privy to the reaction of the other who is listening intently.

There is even significant tension because we never know, nor does Martha know, when she will self-administer the lethal pill. Our only clue has Ingrid walking upstairs every morning from her room below to see if the red door to Martha’s room is open or closed. The women are sharing for one month a well-furnished home in the country called the House in the Woods, complete with swimming pools and fabulous views.

Almodóvar’s script also makes a case for legalization of assisted suicides as family and friends of terminal patients grapple with the situation. It’s quite complicated and THE ROOM NEXT DOOR may have viewers scrambling onto the internet to search for the current status of assisted suicides in this country.

Almodóvar’s movies generally consist of more dialogue than not. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is particularly talky and, thankfully, extremely well-acted. In addition to Moore and Swinton, Turturro’s character, Damian Cunningham, was a past lover of each of the women. In this film, Damian rails about the ruination of the planet at the hands of what he terms neoliberalism and the rise of the far-right.

The only other major cast member is a holier-than-thou police detective named Flannery (Alessandro Nivola) who grills Ingrid on her possible role in Martha’s death. Melina Matthews has a brief but pivotal turn as an attorney advising Ingrid.

And one final note --- the original score by decorated composer Alberto Iglesias is particularly appropriate, and it is actually quite soothing. THE ROOM NEXT DOOR represents his second collaboration with Almodóvar.

Theater release Dec 20, 2024

Opinion: Strong See It Now!