Volver

Name: Volver
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Comedy, Crime
Released: November 3, 2006
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Penélope Cruz

2006

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 257 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 257 Ratings

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Volver (US)

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: November 3, 2006 | R

Starring: Carmen Maura, Lola Dueñas, Penélope Cruz

Summary: Three generations of women survive the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition and even death by means of goodness, lies and boundless vitality. (Sony Pictures Classics)

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

100

David Ansen

The great Spanish director's fourth triumph in a row--following "All About My Mother," "Talk to Her" and "Bad Education"--Volver (which means "coming back") flows effortlessly between peril and poignancy, the real and the surreal, even life and death. Read full review

100

Marjorie Baumgarten

Raimunda believes that dirty linen should be washed at home: Thank goodness Almodóvar hangs some of it up on the screen to dry. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

Part noir-comedy, part ghost story, but it's mostly a potent reflection on how where we come from shapes us, in ways we can't understand until we've been away for a long, long while. Read full review

Rick Groen

As down-to-earth as a ghost story gets. Read full review

Paula Nechak

Cruz is tough and sexy as the no-nonsense Raimunda and she's being deservedly talked up for an Oscar nomination in a tight best actress year. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

It's hard to say if Volver is a great film -- hard because every woman and girl in it is so damned endearing (the men are either impediments or bystanders to the real business of life) -- but safe to say it's right up there with Mr. Almodóvar's best.

Graham Rae

Speaking as a reviled straight male, I would say that the only true saving grace about this film is Penelope Cruz's performance. Read full review

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User Reviews

alejandro970

Apr 2, 2022

Inmediatamente después de La mala educación Pedro Almodóvar vuelve a la receta típica: sus musas; en una historia que involucra la muerte y la maternidad, de manera que despierta nuestra atención al máximo y en cierto casos, nos toca una fibra sensible.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Scott

Nov 7, 2006

Penelope Cruz is FABULOUS in this and the film is amazing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ScottS.

Jan 5, 2007

Wonderful movie. Funny, sad, with strong female characters and great acting. Penelope Cruz is fantastic in this.

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Harry

Dec 9, 2006

Almodóvar's "Volver" is a very unique motion picture. The film had an amazing and very original story and was delivered in a fresh-dialogued screenplay. The story of a ghost that visits the village full of women is simply shocking and poetic at the same time. The shots of the Almodóvar's "Volver" is a very unique motion picture. The film had an amazing and very original story and was delivered in a fresh-dialogued screenplay. The story of a ghost that visits the village full of women is simply shocking and poetic at the same time. The shots of the film were simply magical. They were beautiful and had great colors all over them. The acting was outsanding specially Penelope Cruz as a woman, who's mother died in an accident and is about to reveal a thruth about her daughter, an abused girl. She gave powerful performing moments specially when she discovers that her daughter killed a man who tried to abuse her or when she sang "Volver". The music was well selected too. The only problem of the film is that it had a few editing problems. I would've ended the film with Cruz hugging Maura. Overall: Almodóvar is a wizard and made a magical work of art that should be honored come Oscar time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Drzewoplot

Oct 3, 2012

With the help of excellent actresses and great plots we watch the film and remain speechless. Especially Carmen Maura in the role of the mother is a masterpiece. Cruz, the muse of Almodovar, is a natural force of the character, which she created. Colourful scenery, which is an excellentWith the help of excellent actresses and great plots we watch the film and remain speechless. Especially Carmen Maura in the role of the mother is a masterpiece. Cruz, the muse of Almodovar, is a natural force of the character, which she created. Colourful scenery, which is an excellent choice, contrasts with full of ridiculous or scary ideas. The scenario still surprises spectator. It is hard to find as good as here analyse of women… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BillyS.

Jan 13, 2007

Though I don't consider Volver to be Almodovar's best film to date, it is easily his most accessible. Volver is the closest he will probably ever come to a "conventional Hollywood" comedy. With an ensemble cast of mostly all actresses lead by the Radiant Penelope Cruz, Almodovar Though I don't consider Volver to be Almodovar's best film to date, it is easily his most accessible. Volver is the closest he will probably ever come to a "conventional Hollywood" comedy. With an ensemble cast of mostly all actresses lead by the Radiant Penelope Cruz, Almodovar has written his sharpest, funniest screenplay yet, holding back on his usual outrageous elements in order to let the talented ladies of the cast work their magic with his words. This is clearly Cruz's best performance to date, and her love and trust for Pedro is evident in every frame, the same holds true for Carmen Maura, Yohana Cobo, Blanca Portillo and Lola Duenas who are all given ample screen time to shine as well. You can count on seeing the names Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodovar on your Oscar Pool Ballots for 2006!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

anthonyuk

Apr 21, 2011

Another wonderful film from the Spanish maestro, wonderful female characters which you wam to, Cruz is excellent.

You really care about the characters, funny, eccentric, simply charming cinema at it's best!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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22	#22 Best Movie of 2006
59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 2006
70	#70 Most Shared Movie of 2006