TILDA SWINTON as Martha, JULIANNE MOORE as Ingrid in ‘The Room Next Door’ Image: Iglesias Más. © El Deseo. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
“I have practically held death in my hand. I never imagined it would be so light.”
Pedro Almodóvar’s first English language feature, The Room Next Door, is a film about dying. It is also about so much more—especially about what it means to be with someone—to walk with them through what the Psalmist called “the valley of the shadow of death”. The Room Next Door won the Golden Lion for best film at the Venice Film Festival.
Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were once close friends. When young they worked together at the same magazine. In time, they went their separate ways: Ingrid became a writer, Martha, a war correspondent. When they reconnect at one of Ingrid’s book signings, their friendship is rekindled. But sadly, Martha is dying. She makes a very big ask of Ingrid—to be with her as she lives her finals days before taking a suicide pill.
The story takes place in New York, where assisted suicide is not legal, so this has to be done surreptitiously, and in a way that Ingrid can plausibly claim ignorance. Martha has rented a house in the woods. At some point, known only to Martha, she will take the pill and Ingrid will discover that it has occurred.
All of that is really just the environment for the film that is much more about the relationship that is being rebuilt between the two women. Ingrid isn’t sure she approves, but she trusts that Martha is capable of such a decision and is willing to support her. The time they spend together is special, not just because of their past, but because they both know that their time is limited. It is in this setting that the two women not only reconnect, but can begin to bare themselves to one another after so much time apart.
This film shouldn’t be seen as an advocacy film for death with dignity, although it clearly is sympathetic with the concept. It is much more an explanation of what it means to be a friend. It turns out that Ingrid is not the first friend Martha has asked to do this for her. Although she has qualms about taking part in this, she knows that Martha needs her for this final step in her life. Ingrid perceives that no one should have to go through this alone.
One of Ingrid’s most important lines is, “I think you should do what you want.” In those words we understand that she is putting Martha first, even if it goes against Ingrid’s own desires. Ingrid’s presence—and she is fully present—is a great gift to Martha. Sometimes presence is the greatest gift we can give to another.
The Room Next Door is in select theaters on January 10th, 2024.
