By Tyler Gibson

Pedro Almodovar is one of world cinema’s most audacious artists, which makes Julieta all the more disappointing. This is the provocateur at his most formally dry and lifeless. With the exception of stark red, blue, and yellow clothing juxtaposed against wallpaper in flat environmental framing, the director’s usual flourishes are stripped down to focus on a more monotonous and stagnant mood. It’s commendable for an artist to expand his horizons, but the story ironically yearns for explosive taboo.

Julieta follows the life of its titular character through a series of flashbacks, revealing her journey from youthful passion to middle-aged regret. We see young Julieta (Adriana Ugarte) falling in love with a fisherman named Xoan, a romance that quickly leads to a family. However, tragedy strikes, and Julieta is left grappling with loss and the eventual estrangement from her daughter, Antía. Emma Suarez portrays the older Julieta, who is haunted by her past decisions and the enduring mystery of her daughter’s disappearance.

An assortment of short stories written by Alice Munro should cater to Almodovar’s indulgences, but the adaptation is far too acade

Pedro Almodovar is one of world cinema’s most audacious artists, which makes Julieta all the more disappointing. This is the provocateur at his most formally dry and lifeless. With the exception of stark red, blue, and yellow clothing juxtaposed against wallpaper in flat environmental framing, the director’s usual flourishes are stripped down to focus on a more monotonous and stagnant mood. It’s commendable for an artist to expand his horizons, but the story ironically yearns for explosive taboo.

Julieta follows the life of its titular character through a series of flashbacks, revealing her journey from youthful passion to middle-aged regret. We see young Julieta, played by Adriana Ugarte, falling in love with a fisherman named Xoan, a romance that quickly leads to a family. However, tragedy strikes, and Julieta is left grappling with loss and the eventual estrangement from her daughter, Antía. Emma Suarez portrays the older Julieta, who is haunted by her past decisions and the enduring mystery of her daughter’s disappearance.

An assortment of short stories written by Alice Munro should cater to Almodovar’s indulgences, but the adaptation is far too academic and detached to fully invest in, thus preventing the emotion from ever reaching an apex. The only passion involved is generated by its actors. Adriana Ugarte carries the younger Julieta through a trial of love and tribulation with an expressive curiosity, while Emma Suarez is tasked with conveying the internal regrets associated with middle age. Unfortunately, this is a film desperately in search of momentum much like its flashback-dictated structure. Julieta is a film that aims for depth but ultimately feels shallow, a rare miss for a director known for his vibrant, emotionally charged storytelling.

mic and detached to fully invest in, thus preventing the emotion from ever reaching an apex. The only passion involved is generated by its actors. Adriana Ugarte carries the younger Julieta through a trial of love and tribulation with an expressive curiosity, while Emma Suarez is tasked with conveying the internal regrets associated with middle age. Unfortunately, this is a film desperately in search of momentum much like its flashback-dictated structure. Julieta is a film that aims for depth but ultimately feels shallow, a rare miss for a director known for his vibrant, emotionally charged storytelling. [C+]