The Other Way Around (Volveréis)

The conversation between Alex (Vito Sanz) and Ale (Itsaso Arana) while in bed one night is probably not that unusual. Their relationship is stagnant after fifteen years and they are considering splitting.

The more unusual thing is that they also discuss having a party to ‘celebrate’ the occasion. It’s an idea that is met with a mixture of incredulity by their friends and in particular Ale’s father, a philosopher who planted the seed in her head, and now wants to distance himself. Peoples’ reactions are on a loop ad nauseum for the duration of the film.

Both Ale and Alex are in the film industry and have a healthy social life with others in similar what could be considered middle-class jobs and aspirations. In fact, there is a film within a film here as Alex acts and Ale directs and deals with the other technical aspects.

There’s never a real explanation as to why they are separating but the split screen early on suggest they are doing their own things with little in common.

Written and directed by Jonás Trueba this is in part a meditation on life in the rarified world of the young(ish) Madrid middle-classes. And maybe a satire on self-indulgent filmmaking as the film within the film seems to suggest.

Which is fine but the upshot is a rather dull, self-indulgent film with at times endless discussions about the couple’s idea and the film that they are making and clearly self-referencing.

What the film has in its favour is the acting which is first class. Though it's likely that no one would really want to be anywhere near these people socially. They appear to have constructed and inhabit their own social bubble and happy to stay within it.

The Other Way Around will be in UK cinemas on 11 July 2025.