Bitter Christmas: Pedro Almodóvar’s metalinguistic drama tells the story of a film director who is writing a screenplay. An autofiction, it is inspired by his life and that of those close to him; in his work, a film director is also getting inspired by her friends to write a screenplay. Playfully self-referential and a bit ironic, the film is entertaining, even if it doesn’t hit an emotional high. Acting is generally fine, but not much beyond that. Bárbara Lennie plays the director within the film within the film; Patrick Criado plays her younger, dedicated boyfriend. Leonardo Sbaraglia, as the Almodóvar stand-in, is quite charming, and Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, as his former right-hand, is the one who gives the most emotionally charged performance. The use of music is quite good, from a pair of crucial songs to composer Alberto Iglesias’ beautiful, emotional original musical score. Director of photography Pau Esteve Birba captures the action elegantly; the interiors (designed by Antxón Gómez) are typically colourful and classy.