Pain and Glory

Pain and Glory (2019) tells the story of Salvador Mallo, a successful film director in decline, who is struggling with physical and mental health issues. As he reflects on his past, he recalls his childhood in a small village in Valencia, his move to Madrid in the 1980s, and his relationships with his mother and first love. The film explores the themes of creativity, mortality, and the impossibility of separating art from life. The movie starts with Salvador's return to his hometown for a screening of one of his old films, Flavor. He reconnects with Alberto Crespo, the lead actor in the film, who he had a falling out with due to Alberto's heroin use during filming. Under the influence of heroin, Salvador remembers moments from his past, including teaching a young man named Eduardo how to read and write. As the story progresses, Salvador starts to regularly take heroin to manage his pain and begins to confront his mortality. He agrees to let Alberto stage a monologue based on a story he wrote about a past relationship that fell apart due to drug use. The film ends with Salvador reflecting on his life choices and seeking redemption for past mistakes. Pain and Glory is a powerful drama that explores an artist's struggle for creativity and identity while facing mortality

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Pain and Glory include The Judge, The Whale, Perfect Days, Aftersun, Where Hope Grows, Mr. Church.