How close are you with your friends? Do you bask within their love and celebrations? Are you a shoulder to cry on when times get tough? Will you be in the next room as they die?
Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door poses these questions when author Ingrid (Julianne Moore) discovers her friend Martha (Tilda Swinton), a former war correspondent, has cancer. This revelation causes the two to rediscover their friendship, reflect on their past, and discuss life’s hard choices. There is a beautiful kinship that follows as Ingrid wonders why they ever lost touch. There is a sense of comfort between them, but things quickly become complicated when Martha asks Ingrid to be in the room next door when she ends her life.
Based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel, Almodóvar’s adaptation is a reflection on the complicated emotions of the beauty of life and the uncertainty of death while questioning the morality of assisted suicide. Despite its harsh themes, Almodóvar delivers a beautiful, stylish, and touching movie about female friendship, trust, and love. While Ingrid wants to support her friend, she is racked with worry, confusion, and an all-encompassing nervousness she cannot shake. Is it fair to ask someone to be there when they kill themselves? Is it right to end your life? As Ingrid grapples with her own fears of death, Martha discovers deep peace within herself, knowing that she’s finally in control.
Moore and Swinton complement each other perfectly as they navigate this new world, Moore a wreck, Swinton ethereal in her calmness. Ingrid struggles with Martha’s ability to come to terms with death, becoming a visual mess, while Martha tries to comfort her. Their bond in this moment transforms into something heartfelt and genuine; Ingrid needs Martha more than she thinks. They watch movies together and read books, discovering the simplicities of life. Ingrid’s fears of finding Martha’s death slowly dissipate. While she will never understand Martha’s decision, she knows that being there as a support system is what’s best. This impossible task seems more possible as life replaces death.
The Room Next Door is a gorgeous film with bold, splashy colors and beautiful close-ups; each scene feels like an editorial. This style exists as a reminder of all the beauty life gives, despite death. It beckons Ingrid to cherish these moments. Much like Martha, The Room Next Door isn’t about death but a celebration of life and knowing when it’s time to move on despite its messiness. Death is something we must all face, but first, life must be appreciated.
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