Javier Bardem, Francesca Neri, Liberto Rabal

Pedro Almodovar's most mature and restrained film is a superbly structured melodrama about five people whose lives in modern Madrid are inextricably linked by a bullet fired in a police scuffle.

Flixster Users

87% liked it

8,828 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

36 critics

R, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar

Release Date: January 16, 1998

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DVD Release Date: April 10, 2001

Stats: 482 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (482)


  • November 18, 2009
    The more I see of Bardem, the more I like him. Given that my first notice of him came via No Country for Old Men -- which you must see for his performance in that one -- I grow more and more to appreciate what an amazing range he has. This film too, like In Bruges...( read more), is a kind of fairy tale, albeit not one you would read to your kiddies at bedtime. A great cast brings a very intricate story of love, revenge, and redemption to beautiful fruition, and I'm getting to appreciate Penélope Cruz more and more in all kinds of ways : ) Oh yeah, baby!
  • September 29, 2009
    My first Pedro Almodovar film. Also my first Javier Bardem. Both have got me hooked!
  • August 12, 2009
    Arguably one of his more conservative efforts, Live Flesh still remains true to the Pedro Almodóvar form. Like a magician plucking a rabbit out of his hat, Pedro finds tenderness and romance in some very dark & unromantic places. And, if you've only seen Javier Bardem in...( read more) No Country For Old Men, check your preconceptions at the door.
  • December 13, 2008
    Another enjoyable film from Almodovar. A story of betrayal, love and revenge, with some great characters.
  • November 12, 2008
    I haven't been this captivated by a film in a while. Literally didn't take my eyes off the screen for the entire running time. It seems shorter than it actually is. The films strength is the fact is doesn't follow a typical story, instead it follows people and their pasts and pre...( read more)sents. The film shows the dangers of passion and how it can turn into obsession and then madness, but at the same time shows these themes in a very circular narrative where madness becomes obsession and back into passion. The twists and turns are very unexpected and as such revelations about characters can make you feel betrayed like the characters in the film itself. The film also details how chance events and coincidences can shape our lives and some mistakes can't be forgotten. Bardem is incredible and Neri is captivating in both her looks and performance. Spectacular just about describes this film.
  • October 30, 2009
    Carne Trémula is a fair, somewhat thrilling adaptation of Ruth Rendell's novel, and even so, despite its good structure, performances and suspense, turned out to be an extremely personalized Almodovarian perspective. Good to watch, a mature film for Almodovar's career, but defini...( read more)tely not his best.

    63/100
  • October 9, 2009
    neat one. very spanish.
  • October 9, 2009
    para mi gusto la mejor pelicula de almodobar.
  • July 9, 2009
    Wonderful movie, another pure Almodóvar with many similar elements to 'Átame!'
  • July 8, 2009
    It was okay... good. Pedro makes really different stories... and it's interesting that the cover/title makes it look a whole lot sketchier then it really is. But yeah.

Critic Reviews


April 12, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The overall purpose of Live Flesh, the latest and reputedly most 'mature' work from Spanish bad-boy director Pedro Almodovar, remains engigmatic. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

This is the first Almodovar movie that could be called boring. full review

View more Live Flesh (Carne trémula) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • luvuforever2
    July 17, 2009
    What a sizzling classic! Liberto Rabal as Victor is at his best!

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