Átame! (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) (1990)
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74% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(16,429 ratings)
"I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina (Victoria Abril) states emphatically to the love-struck Ricky (Antonio Banderas). You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed, not exactly the proper way to… More "I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina (Victoria Abril) states emphatically to the love-struck Ricky (Antonio Banderas). You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed, not exactly the proper way to warm anyone up for romance. Yet in Pedro Almodovar's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! the way to a woman's heart is depicted as being held in captivity until the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. The film concerns the plight of Marina, a "B"-movie diva trying to adjust to her recent success after years of porno films and drug addiction. But then into her life comes Ricky, a part-time handyman and full-time mental patient, who, during one of his past escapes from the mental ward, had spent the night with Marina -- who gave in to him during one of her less-discerning moments. Since then, Ricky has been thinking of her constantly. Determined to win her affections, he kidnaps Marina, holding her captive in her own apartment and trying everything to convince her to love him -- then they could marry and have a big family. All Ricky's attempts to woo Marina fail. Finally, after taking a severe beating from some street thugs, he strikes a chord in Marina's nurturing heart so that when her sister Lola (Loles Leon) finally discovers her plight, Marina no longer wants to be rescued. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy
NC-17,
- In Theaters
- Jan 22, 1990 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 12, 2000
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
Mr. Almodovar's comic invention runs out too soon, leaving the audience to giggle weakly in anticipation of the big laughs and disorienting shocks that never arrive.
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Rita Kempley, Washington Post
A writer-director driven by his passion, Almodovar allows his movies to moan and sweat and writhe. Sex looks like sex, not pornographic but messy and warm. The curtains do not billow, the sheets burn.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Almodovar's polarities are so perfectly lined up in opposition to my own that it is quite possible for one of his movies to shoot right through my brain without striking a single cell.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though this controversial film about romantic, sado-masochistic love in the hetero world is weak and ultimately disappointing, it's still worth seeing for understanding Almodovar's evolution.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of those movies that makes you laugh if you sit back and absorb the entire absurd situation at once.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Victoria Abril
as Marina Osorio
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Antonio Banderas
as Ricki
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Loles Leon
as Lola
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Julieta Serrano
as Alma
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Francisco Rabal
as Maximo Espejo
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Rossy de Palma
as Drug Dealer on Scooter
- María Barranco
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Lola Cardona
as Directora Psiquiatrico
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Montse G. Romeu
as Periodista
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Emiliano Redondo
as Decorador
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Angelina Llongueras
as Montadora
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Manuel Bandera
as Bailarin Tango
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Agustin Almodovar
as Farmaceutico
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Rodolfo Montero de Palacio
as Guarda Jurado
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Carlos Garcia Cambero
as Hermano de Lola
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Miguel Garcia
as Gitano Viejo
