“Pain and glory”: colors, polo shirts and shirts at Almodóvar – Bobine

(Cover photo credit: Asier Etxeandia, Pedro Almodóvar and Antonio Banderas on the set of “Pain and Glory”, 2019 - IMAGO / ZUMA Wire)

THE PITCH: ACTOR, FILMMAKER AND MIRROR PLAY

Salvador Mallo is a graying Spanish filmmaker and he is in bad shape: he suffers from various chronic illnesses and has not filmed for a long time. Is it so ugly to get old? The answer may be found here. If his successes are visibly behind him, he reconnects with his history through his actors, his films and his childhood, spent among others in a cave house in the town of Paterna, in the Valencia region.

The film is a game of mirrors. Introspective without being 100% autobiographical, it sees the figure and career of the Spanish director merge with that of Antonio Banderas, his favorite actor. Check them out on the set of the movie, pictured above, almost identically.

In the cast of “Pain and Glory”, two of the biggest contemporary Spanish cinema stars: Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz. The first accompanied a number of Almodóvar films in the 80s, “The Law of Desire” in 1986 to name just one.

The second became interested in the profession by watching the movie “Tie Me Up” . Penélope Cruz will shoot several films with the filmmaker including the very recent “Madres Paralelas” in 2021.

If you are familiar with our Reel format, you have already come across “Pain and Glory” in our columns, during a selection of turtleneck sweaters at the cinema:

But the film has much more to offer than stitches . If you are, for example, looking for inspiration for sunny days, you will find some tasty little ideas here, as long as the color doesn't scare you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE IN STYLE…

Almodóvar's ties to fashion are not new. The designer Jean-Paul Gaultier is, for example, at the origin of the costumes for the films “Kika” or “La Piel que habito”. We also regularly find pieces from prestigious houses in Almodóvar's films : Chanel, Prada, Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, etc.

In “Pain and Glory,” Antonio Banderas wears certain pieces from the director's personal wardrobe : shoes and clothes, sometimes replicated to better suit the actor's figure.

Among other things, you will find here suits, and possibly also silk shirts, from the Prada brand . But also much more casual things, ranging from jeans to sneakers.

The film's costumes are supervised by Paola Torres , pictured above with the Spanish director. It was already in the credits of some of Almodóvar's previous works such as “Volver” or “Bad Education”.

Another key character in the cast: Antxon Gomez, a loyal follower of the filmmaker, attached to the sets and design . It goes without saying that “Pain and Glory” is an esthete film, with style, color, great actors but also beautiful objects.

Because we find in the apartment of the character of the film many familiar objects of Pedro Almodóvar. The decor is, as you will see, quite magnificent. So, three good reasons to (re)see “Pain and Glory”?

1. SUN, COLORS AND CASUAL OUTFITS

We made a whole festival out of it for our own clothes, we find it here everywhere and in a way that is as confident as it is relaxed: color . Among the most present on the screen: white and red. For Salvador Mallo's character, these are the colors of a lifetime. They have been there since childhood. Can we define ourselves with colors? And what would yours be?

If you already have an idea of ​​what we think of white and its ecru variations at BonneGueule, perhaps you are wondering more about red? It's a pretty strong color all in all.

At Antonio Banderas, we are not afraid of the suit, the t-shirt, the shirt or the red sweater . We even go there quite frankly. The same goes for green, yellow or orange. You will tell me that it suits him well, that the sun generally invites more fantasy and at least gray .

It's true, and we can also note the positive psychological impact of colorful clothing . Still, one of the essential components of Almodóvar's style is color in its most pop form.

Even when the tone is more serious, the sun and its colors are never far away, even in his everyday outfits. Look at this one instead:

That being said, you know: color is also one of the nerves of the war when it comes to style, and it's not always easy to go away from comforting blue . To help you find your way around, a little practical video here:

2. THE SHIRT AND THE POLO SHIRT, TWO BEAUTIFUL STYLE ALTERNATIVES UNDER THE SUN

As summer approaches, it's worth pointing out that there is life outside of the t-shirt . At least that's what the character of Antonio Banderas reminds us here. If you ever want to go further than the cotton t-shirt, David gives you some ideas here .

Antonio Banderas, for his part, bets on color but also on shirts and polo shirts to diversify his style , particularly in their retro and knitted version as found at brands like Scott Fraser Collection or Percival Clothing .

You will still find some plain and more classic models in his wardrobe, and even Lacoste polo shirts! For other alternatives, you can for example look here or delve into our guide dedicated to polo .

While the pieces in the film are colorful, they are also sometimes graphic or patterned . We of course think of Antonio Banderas' tops. But also Penélope Cruz's floral outfits: her character regularly haunts the film and the most observant will perhaps also notice her olive green espadrilles. There's a lot to look at, and not just in the key characters.

Another little detail that you will probably miss: the shirt collar over the blazer , a slightly retro touch that has already proven itself in the cinema. Note that David has already tried it via his illusionist costume here:

3. STYLE DOESN’T STOP WITH YOUR WARDROBE

Some of you are just as sensitive to clothing as you are to interior design . And there's nothing implausible about it: the two universes have much more in common than it seems. In both cases, it is a question of aesthetics, colors, and well-being .

This rapprochement is more visible than ever in Almodóvar's film. In fact, you will find just as much to see in the outfits as in the interiors of the film. The apartment of Antonio Banderas' character is, for example, inspired by the filmmaker's Milanese apartment, and it's a dream.

Almodóvar is indeed a lover of contemporary art, design and other vintage objects . Half of the objects present in the apartment in the film are his and you will find there exceptional things signed by artists like Gerrit Rietveld, Mario Bellini, Fornasetti and even Vico Magistretti.

If you ever want to know more about the relationship between clothing style and interior decoration , this article is for you:

… TO CREATE INSPIRING OUTFITS

It's one of the dressiest outfits in the film: a burgundy red ensemble consisting of a jacket and suit pants , paired with what appears to be a retro patterned shirt. Shades, did you say shades? For those of you who are intrigued by monochrome, David gives you some advice here .

We have already seen a composition of this type in Bobine, by John Leguizamo in the film “ Impasse ”. But at Brian De Palma, the suit was worn in a particularly formal manner, with tie and suit vest.

Here Antonio Banderas completely relaxes his outfit: the shirt is taken out of the pants and the points of the collar are on the outside . It is not impossible to imagine espadrilles or moccasins to go with it.

Are you hesitant to ditch the tie or are you lacking inspiration for your formal summer events ? Antonio Banderas makes you an offer here that you may not be able to refuse. He most likely got it from Almodóvar himself : the suit yes, but with stylish polo shirts or shirts .