Tacones Lejanos (High Heels) (1991)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(6,634 ratings)

Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar, Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo (Marisa Paredes) and her daughter Rebecca (Victoria Abril), a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years, Becky re-enters Rebecca's life… More Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar, Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo (Marisa Paredes) and her daughter Rebecca (Victoria Abril), a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years, Becky re-enters Rebecca's life when she comes to perform a concert. Rebecca, she finds, is now married to one of Becky's ex-lovers, Manuel (Feodor Atkine). As the mother and daughter begin making up for lost time, Manuel is suddenly murdered at his home. Unfortunately, which of the ladies is responsible for the homicide remains unclear, even after one of them confesses. Released in the U.S. under the title High Heels, Tacones Lejanos was nominated for several Goya Awards as well as the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 23, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Oct 7, 1992

Critic Reviews

Janet Maslin, New York Times
Unlike this director's best work, High Heels has no real mirth and not even enough energy to keep it lively.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
It's bright and spunky and playfully melodramatic, but something's missing.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Pedro Almodovar's films are an acquired taste, and with High Heels I am at last beginning to acquire it.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite the presence of two great actresses, High Heels is a disappointing film, as a murder mystery and mother-daughter melodrama.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
Not funny, suspenseful, or original.
Gabe Leibowitz, eCinemaCenter.com
Witty and snappy Almodovar....as usual, but still great fun.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
The director knows what he wants to say, but isn't too sure how to go about saying it.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Matheus C

One's enjoyment of this will depend on how the spectator is able to accept the director's melodramatic sensibilities (the live TV confession is a major standout) and to see Almodóvar winking at us through all the extreme plot twists. Douglas Sirk would have been proud.
Lesley N

Almodovar melodrama about a selfish singing mother retuning to Spain and her TV newscaster daughter after leaving for Mexico 15 years ago and never looking back. In those 15 years, the daughter has all grown up, keeping busy by marrying her mum's ex-lover and going to shows to… More
Almodovar melodrama about a selfish singing mother retuning to Spain and her TV newscaster daughter after leaving for Mexico 15 years ago and never looking back. In those 15 years, the daughter has all grown up, keeping busy by marrying her mum's ex-lover and going to shows to watch Letal, drag artist, impersonate her mother. The plot is silly, but everyone throws themslves into it with great enthusiasm, and it looks so colourful and stylish and pretty and Spanish. Lovely. <img src="http://www.akg-images.com/akg_couk/_customer/london/images/en/gallery/cinema/europe/Album_479110.jpg">
Krystle C

An interesting case study in the relationships between women, both the biological kind and the transsexual kind. Almodovar's rich use of colour is gorgeous and reminiscent of an early 60s movie. Victoria Abril and Marisa Paredes are both wonderfully manipulative, cold, and… More
An interesting case study in the relationships between women, both the biological kind and the transsexual kind. Almodovar's rich use of colour is gorgeous and reminiscent of an early 60s movie. Victoria Abril and Marisa Paredes are both wonderfully manipulative, cold, and vulnerable by turns.

Cast

            Victoria Abril as Rebecca

            Marisa Paredes as Becky Del Paramo

            Miguel Bosé as Judge Dominguez

            Feodor Atkine as Manuel

            Pedro Diaz del Corral as Alberto

            Ana Lizaran as Margarita

            Mayrata O'Wisiedo as Judge's Mother

            Miriam Diaz-Aroca as Isabel

            Cristina Marcos as Paula

            Javier Bardem as TV Floor Manager

            Lupe Barrado as Luisa

            Javier Benavente as Photo Shop Attendant

            Elia Camino as Dancer

            Almudena de la Riva as Dancer

            M. Del Pau Dominguez as News Announcer

            Gabriel Garbisu as News Director

            Abraham Garcia as Prison Doctor

            Ana Garcia as Dancer

            Placido Guimaraes as Island Native

            M. Dolores Ibanez as Dancer

            Angelina Llongueras as 1st Jail Worker

            Luigi Martin as Kleenex Cop

            Nacho Martinez as Juan

            Lina Mira as 2nd Makeup Girl

            Rodolfo Montero de Palacio as Arresting Officer

            Rocío Muñoz as Rebeca (as a child)

            Yolanda Munoz as Dancer

            Carmen Navarro as 2nd Jail Worker/Prison Nurse

            Juan Jose Otegui as Priest

            Hilario Pino as 2nd News Announcer

            Fernando Prados as Judicial Worker

            Montse G. Romeu as 1st Makeup Girl

            José M. Sacristán as Priest

            Raquel Sanchis as Dancer

            Eva Siva as Nanny

            Paula Soldevilla as Hospital Nurse

            Victoria Torres as Dancer

            Roxy Vaz as Black Dealer

            Bibiana Fernandez as Chon
See full cast

Tacones Lejanos (High Heels) (1991)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Matheus C

Lesley N

Krystle C

Cast