Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy and girl spend 14 happy years together, fall out of love, throw a party to celebrate ending their relationship? The premise of The Other Way Around may not seem like a classic love story, but this charming Spanish comedy is one for the ages.
★★★★☆
Filmed on location in Madrid, The Other Way Around follows couple Alejandra (Itsaso Arana) and Alejandro (Vito Sanz) as they conclude that their relationship has run its course. While they handle this development with acceptance, their friends cannot believe that this perfect pairing, these “legends of love”, are calling time on their romance.
Their bewilderment is understandable. The couple even practically share the same name–they seem perfect for each other. Ale and Alex are one being, and their apartment full of trinkets and souvenirs wordlessly tell the stories of their shared interests and memorable adventures.
Before family and friends have time to come to terms with this sad separation, Ale and Alex announce that they are planning a fiesta to celebrate the time they have shared and commemorate this brave, civil, mutual decision.
When we meet the pair, they are little more than roommates. They make their own coffee and spend their days separately, but they clearly still respect each other. There is no animosity and no one to blame, which makes their decision even harder to comprehend.
Arana and Sanz are perfect as the self-assured Ale and the unassuming Alex. They expertly portray a nuanced relationship between two people who despite, because of, different personalities, shared a beautiful love for over a decade. As they navigate this stage of their life, and the stunning streets of bright and polished Madrid, the couple still share the chemistry that helped them burn so bright for 14 years.
The Other Way Around is deliciously self-referential with elements of metacinema. Ale, herself an ambitious filmmaker, remarks how the concept of a breakup party would be a good idea for a movie. Director Jonas Trueba uses techniques of transitions and smash cuts to reinforce the absurdity of a separation being cause for celebration. Scenes must move quickly as this couple are steadfast in their decision both to split and to party until sunrise.
Thanks to his breezy, understated style, Trueba turns a divorce party from an unhinged concept into a perfectly logical decision. His charming screenplay was inspired by a comment from his father, Fernando Trueba, that “couples should celebrate separations rather than unions”. Trueba Sr is himself an esteemed filmmaker, and makes a wonderful cameo as Ale’s dad.
The Other Way Around handles a serious, melancholic life change with sensitivity and humour. In one particularly comedic moment, Ale attempts to explain the separation party in English. While the words flow effortlessly in her native Spanish, a Romance language that delivers earth-shattering news with fluidity and melody, Ale struggles to really sell the concept to an outsider.
These moments remind the audience of how ridiculous the idea can seem, but the film carefully, intentionally presents a break up bash as a courageous and respectful action. It is time for the couple to rediscover who they are outside of their partnership. The original Spanish title is Volveréis, meaning “you will return”. Not to a relationship that isn’t working, but to themselves; and that’s an occasion to commemorate.
As Ale surmises, so many people get married and yet it is still always a celebration. Anyone can say “I do”, but knowing when to call time and leave with love and respect? That’s the impressive part.
The Verdict
The overarching message of The Other Way Around is: that’s life. We cannot predict what the future holds, but we can control how we react.
It is a film to remind you that each time you find yourself flat on your face, you can pick yourself up and get back in the race. The Other Way Around is out in UK and Ireland cinemas on 11th July 2025.
Words by Tayler Finnegan
The Other Way Around is out in UK and Ireland cinemas on 11th July 2025.
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