The Reel Review
A book author reunites with an old friend and former co-worker who is dying from cervical cancer, ultimately agreeing to stay with her at a beautiful home in the country as the friend makes plans to kill herself to avoid the agonizing eventual pain of her terminal illness. Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton star in this psychological drama from Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar based on Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel “What Are You Going Through.”
The Room Next Door is a somewhat dry yet sweet, beautiful ode to friendship. Utilizing a lyrical, melancholic score and sumptuous visuals, Almodovar’s first English language feature film, which he co-wrote with Nunez, explores the harsh realities and logistics of planned suicide, and the ironic criminal acts (under U.S. law) that it requires. Moore and Swinton both give excellent and convincing performances.
The pacing of this dialogue-heavy drama will be frustratingly slow for many viewers, but for those with the patience, the story does pick up a bit in the finale, which has an interesting minor twist. For those touched by the terminal illness of loved ones, The Room Next Door is a thought-provoking story about friendship and death.
REEL FACTS
• Oscar winners Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) were born less than a month apart in November and December 1960.
• The Room Next Door won Best Film at the 2024 Venice Film Festival.
• Although some scenes were filmed in New York City and Echo Lake Park in New Jersey, principal photography for The Room Next Door was done in Casa Szoke, Spain – the house there chosen because it resembled a Woodstock, New York forest.
Video & Photo
