La Dolorosa: A moody monk movie that’s actually okay

You should watch La dolorosa if you like old-fashioned dramas where people make very permanent life choices because of a single bad breakup. It is great for anyone who appreciates 1930s Spanish style or fans of director Jean Grémillon. You will probably hate it if you can’t stand people burstng into song while they are depressed.

It starts out with Rafael, who is this sensitive painter. He is very much into this society woman, but she dumps him for some guy who is clearly a jerk.

Instead of just getting a hobby or moving to a different city, Rafael joins a monastery. **It is a bit of an extreme reaction**, but the movie makes it look very dramatic with all the robes and the candle light.

The monastery scenes are actually the best part of the whole thing. There is this weird, quiet energy to the way the monks move.

I noticed the lighting is really specific. It reminded me of some of the darker moments in The Greatest of These.

Jean Grémillon was the director, and he usually does French movies. Seeing him do a Spanish *zarzuela* (which is basically a light opera) is sort of strange.

He brings a lot of moody shadows to a story that could have been very cheesy. Some of the shots of the stone walls feel like they belong in a much more expensive film.

Then we have the girl, Dolores. She shows up later and she is basically a mess.

She has a kid now, no money, and the guy who she left Rafael for is nowhere to be found. It is the classic "I told you so" plot but played for maximum sadness.

Rosita Díaz Gimeno plays her, and she has these eyes that just look perpetually wet. She does a lot of heavy lifting in the scenes where she has to look regretful.

I found myself wondering about the painter’s old life. We don't see enough of his actual art, just him looking sad near a canvas.

The music is... a lot. If you aren't used to this kind of singing, it might feel like it’s vibrating your teeth.

But it fits the vibe of the time. It is much more theatrical than the acting in something like Evidence.

The Monk Dilemma

The whole middle section is just Rafael trying to be a good monk while clearly still thinking about his ex. It is kind of relatable in a way.

Who hasn't wanted to go live in a cave because someone didn't text back? Except back then, you had to learn how to sing in a choir and wear itchy clothes.

The kid in the movie is actually pretty good at acting. Usually, kids in 1930s movies are just there to look cute and be annoying, but this one feels like a real part of the stakes.

There is a scene where the monk has to decide if he should help her. The tension is real, even if you know how these movies usually end.

It’s not as fast-paced as Call a Taxi, that’s for sure. It takes its sweet time with every single prayer and sigh.

I did find a few things that felt a bit off. Like, how does everyone keep running into each other in a whole country?

The coincidence factor is very high here. But that is just how these old melodramas work, I guess.

• The good: The atmosphere is thick and very moody.
• The bad: The singing can get a bit repetitive if you aren't into the genre.
• The weird: A few of the side characters feel like they wandered in from a different, funnier movie.

The sound quality is a bit scratchy. You have to really listen sometimes to catch what they are saying over the hiss of the old film.

It adds to the charm, though. It feels like you found a dusty old box in an attic.

I think the painter’s friend, played by Anselmo Fernández, was supposed to be the comic relief. He’s fine, but he mostly just made me want to get back to the monk drama.

The movie is quite short, which is a blessing. It doesn't overstay its welcome, even with all the singing.

If you like movies where people suffer beautifully, this is a top-tier choice. It’s got that heavy, Catholic guilt thing going on that makes everything feel very important.

It’s much better than some of the other stuff from that year, like maybe Monerías which is just... different.

I left the movie feeling a bit sad but also satisfied. It’s a solid piece of filmmaking even if the plot is a bit thin.

"Faith is hard, but seeing your ex with a baby when you’re a monk is harder."

That isn't a real quote from the movie, but it should have been. It’s basically the whole theme.

Didja notice?

• The way the paintbrushes are organized in the first act? Very tidy.
• The monk robes look like they are made of the heaviest wool on earth.
• There’s a cat in one scene that looks very confused to be on a movie set.
• The lighting on the Virgin Mary statue is very intense.

Anyway, it’s worth a look. Just bring some tissues and maybe some earplugs if you don't like high-pitched singing.