The Room Next Door
A movie review by Alex First
Euthanasia is the subject of famed auteur Pedro Almodovar’s latest film, The Room Next Door – his first in English.
Successful author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and former war correspondent Martha (Tilda Swinton) used to work alongside one another.
At a signing for her latest book, Ingrid meets and greets a friend, Stella (Sarah Demeestere), who tells her that Martha is in hospital with cancer.
Ingrid, who hasn’t seen Martha for years, is shocked and rushes to her bedside and, so, the pair reconnects.
Martha is optimistic about a new experimental treatment for her non-operable stage 3 cervical cancer.
Martha tells Ingrid about her fraught relationship with her adult daughter, Michelle.
As she and Ingrid spend increasing amounts of time together, she also relays an experience she had as a war correspondent.
It turns out they also used to sleep with the same man, Damian (John Turturro) – first Martha and, after that relationship ended, Ingrid.
Then the tide turns for the worse for Martha and she decides to take matters into her own hands.
She determines that she wants to die with dignity by choosing the time of her death, courtesy of a life ending pill purchased on the dark web.
To ensure all goes smoothly, Martha implores Ingrid to be with her on that fateful day, though not in the same room.
There are, of course, serious legal implications to the request.
That is when Ingrid – who personally fears death – turns to climate catastrophist Damian for help.
The Room Next Door is very much a movie of our time. It deals with an issue that many consider to be vitally important.
It is a sensitive, passionate and well-made film, featuring an intelligent and thought-provoking script.
Based on a 2020 novel titled What Are You Going Through by American writer Sigrid Nunez, it has been written by Almodovar.
Swinton is outstanding – vulnerable, determined and demonstrative – as the dying patient. She approaches the persona with her usual cerebral rigour.
As her dutiful friend and confidante, Moore is supportive and expressive.
As Ingrid, she wrestles with her conscience to determine the right thing to do, which carries with it consequences.
Turturro is stoic as her former lover Damian.
Alvise Rigo also plays a small but noteworthy part as personal trainer Jonah.
With strong production values, Almodovar retains the colourful palette that typifies his films.
The intense close-ups add a fly-on-the-wall element to what unfolds. The cinematographer is Eduard Grau (Buried).
One the most accessible of Almodovar’s movies, The Room Next Door is engaging and compelling
In so being, it shines a light on an important societal issue.
Rated M, it scores an 8 out of 10. 107mins
