The Room Next Door

Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton shine in Pedro Almodóvar’s first English-language feature, an exquisite and moving adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s What Are You Going Through. It has been years since long-time friends Ingrid, a best-selling novelist, and Martha, a war journalist, have seen each other. Upon learning of Martha’s cancer diagnosis, Ingrid rushes to her side and they rekindle their bond. With each shared memory, including Martha’s recollections of war and of her fractured relationship with her daughter, their connection grows. And a deeply personal request from Martha will bound the two women forever. Revisiting themes prevalent across his body of work, Almodóvar proves that his sensibility for writing and directing women is unmatched, while Moore and Swinton’s nuanced and sensitively delivered performances remind us why they rank among the world’s most celebrated actors. The director’s rich visual language is ever-present, as is the evocative score by frequent collaborator Alberto Iglesias. One of the year’s most anticipated films, this is a delicacy for the both the uninitiated and those fluent in Almodóvarian.