We’re all aware that home is where the heart is. But, for Maria Angeles, home is where her life is.

Angeles is a Spanish widow, in her late seventies, living in Tangier on a bustling street filled with amicable vendors and a community she has made her way into. Her quaint apartment, truly the ideal comfort space, is adorned with trinkets and antique furniture that echo warmth and create a homey atmosphere. Her well-kept geraniums on the balcony, or rather cemetery flowers, that she leaves around at graves, unvisited for years, mark the love she grows all around her. Struggling with finances and the aftermath of her divorce, Maria’s daughter, Clara, decides to sell the apartment her mother inhabits in Tangier, as she struggles to pay her own rent in Madrid. The place, the street, means everything to Maria, but her opportunistic and inconsiderate daughter simply cannot fathom the value the apartment has to her.

With an abrupt and deceptive return home, she breaks the news to Maria, essentially forcing her to vacate. The question is: what happens when you are kicked out of the only place you’ve ever known as home?

The narrative is set around the journey of Maria, where she navigates her life after her daughter sells their apartment and absconds back to Madrid, leaving her at an aged care facility. Carmen Maura does a wonderful job playing Maria. She is a delight to watch as she rescues herself from the torment of being treated as vulnerable and reliant by the staff members. She might be old, but she evidently is self-sufficient. The film dives into Maria paving her own way and rediscovering her appetite for life and love.

Maura's performance abounds with compassion and sincerity through her warm demeanour and expressive eyes. The fascination in her eyes allows the audience to enjoy seeing life through her.

Maura’s wardrobe perfectly aligns with her character; Maria is the epitome of lust for life. The patterns, designs and colourful nature of the attire, through florals and bohemian styles, successfully depict Maria's whimsy and deepen her character’s personality. The incorporation of the colour red was a brilliant costuming choice. Initially, it is soft, as is exhibited by Maria’s nails, the flowers on her balcony and, later, as the plot progresses, it moves towards her entire outfit, as well as being surrounded by rose petals. Red is used to not merely display vibrance and intensity of life, but also to delve into sensuality and the rediscovery of desires, both sexual and emotional.

Maryam Touzani, the director, cleverly integrates Spanish and Moroccan culture. From tiny symbols, such as double yolks to signify luck, to the massive cultural inclination towards football, with pivotal moments blending in with La Liga. Culture is crucial to understanding the personality of Maria Angeles and her neighbourhood.

The multi-faceted nature of Maria’s character comes off as authentic to the audience. Her life revolves around community and love, yet she still values autonomy. She paves her own way by standing up to her own daughter, who, despite the pain she has caused, she still admires. In Maria’s life, as close as people may be, there still exist boundaries to protect her sense of independence and peace.

Overall, Calle Málaga flawlessly encapsulates people’s love for life. You might end up losing the love of your life, and, if you are quite unfortunate, perhaps even your house, but you should never lose your love for life, because everyone either gets a second chance or makes one happen.