"Volveréis" is a film whose characters don't want to make a fuss about their separation and therefore decide to take it all the other way around by organizing a joyful divorce party on the very first day of automn.
The film features a revolutionary take on the couple as it turns the mores, habits and stereotypes of a break-up as well as it brings diferent shades of thoughts towards many subjects such as love, friendship and family relations.
It's a beautiful, complex thinking over separation summed up in one sentence : "Volveréis" like a statement: "For sure, you are going to get back together" OR the same sentence but with a question mark: "Volveréis ? Like " Are you going to get back together after all?". Just like the verb "volver" which has two meanings: to turn (a page, a leaf) or to return (to go back).
Beyond the modern posture, there is a declaration of love to things that matter most in life . There are many references to Bergman, Truffaut in the direction but also a wink to the proper director of Volvereis (Jonas Trueba) as he directs his own father (Fernando Trueba, a well-known director) who happens to be a key character in the film.
To me, this film is very touching because it looks very sincere and personal. For instance, it seems that the director shares his own doubts towards the edit and the relevance of his film (the film we, spectactors are watching !) by sharing the main characters' doubts on their fate through the edit of THEIR film that they are both struggling to finish...just like their relationship that is coming to an end !
It's also a very anti-conflictual movie, as its main characters barely ever fight or argue. It's an anthem to dialogue, to love, to respect. It's very modern in its approach of the couple. The two of them just share their thoughts with sincerity, they somehow love each other at every step of their thinking despite the doubts that are everywhere, in one look, on word or one take.
This melancholic tone matches with the turning point of their lives, right at the moment when they must turn over a new leaf, start a new chapter, begin a new season just like this rather sad, uncertain and ending summer in Madrid.
It's also a film about uncertainty, about being a couple after 15 years of relationship, about the middle-age crisis and the doubts it brings along. To the question: are you happy ? One answers yes and the other says no, but both seem to regret his own answer right after prononcing it.
We then understand that our life in general is like editing a film, and everything could be turned upside down, the beginning can become and end, and with one's decision it can be the other way around.
A beautiful, witty film, with lots of winks. I recommend !
