Átame! (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) (1990)

74% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(16,170 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 warm anyone… 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: NC-17, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 22, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Dec 12, 2000
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Typically nutty and passionate Almodovar
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
An off-kilter - and off-putting - mix of humor, sex, and Stockholm Syndrome obsession.
, Austin Chronicle
Psychodrama and dark humor flow freely from this setup.
James Sanford, James Sanford on Film
Perhaps its greatest truth comes from two of its characters watching a movie in production: one notes that the film is more a love story than a horror story. Replies the movie's director, 'Sometimes the two are indistinguishable.'

Read all 9 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

Randy T

Wow! Almodovar is a master at finding humor and romance in the most unlikely places.
Stefanie C

My kind of love story...
Saskia D

I can honestly say that Almodóvar is starting to become one of my favorite directors. His movies are so fresh and unconventional! Átame! is a joy to watch. Victoria Abril and a very young Antonio Banderas have a chemistry which comes together in one of the best lovemaking scenes… More
I can honestly say that Almodóvar is starting to become one of my favorite directors. His movies are so fresh and unconventional! Átame! is a joy to watch. Victoria Abril and a very young Antonio Banderas have a chemistry which comes together in one of the best lovemaking scenes I've seen in a long time! Victoria Abril's eyes are mesmerizing. When she's introduced in those first scenes she looks plain and dull, but when she starts acting (in the movie she stars in a movie) she will sweep you off your feet! <div style="width:430px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/photos/tie-me-up-tie-me-down-marina-and-ricky-13961221"><img src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/13/96/12/13961221_gal.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">
Anthony L

I love Almodovar's style of film making. Great story with some really funny and quirky scenes. I love the scenes of the film they are making within this film too, I almost want Almodovar to make it for real!
Lady D

Like many of Almodovar?s work, the beauty is always found in the most unusual circumstances. Just like Penelope Cruz, we see a very different side of Antonio Banderas than the Hollywood Actor we all know him to be. A compelling watch with an enjoyable plot.
Robert C

A little dark, a little twisted, totally Almadovar. You'll laugh (even though you think you shouldn't). You'll feel slightly aroused (even though you think you shouldn't). You'll feel an odd sense of familiarity with these 'crazy people'… More
A little dark, a little twisted, totally Almadovar. You'll laugh (even though you think you shouldn't). You'll feel slightly aroused (even though you think you shouldn't). You'll feel an odd sense of familiarity with these 'crazy people' (even though you hate to admit it). That's the beauty of Almadovar.
Daniel P

Almodóvar's usual skill at deftly juggling many shifts in tone is not in evidence here in this rather scattershot and awkward mixture of comedy, drama, romance and sex. It's a little too subversive to work as slapstick and too light in tone to work as a dark comedy, but is… More
Almodóvar's usual skill at deftly juggling many shifts in tone is not in evidence here in this rather scattershot and awkward mixture of comedy, drama, romance and sex. It's a little too subversive to work as slapstick and too light in tone to work as a dark comedy, but is not without its pleasures. <p>Antonio Banderas stars as Ricky, a discharged mental patient who kidnaps a former drug addict and porn star now trying to make it big as a struggling actress; his reasoning is that if she only gets to know him she will start to fall in love with him. <p>Enlivened by three fantastic performances from Victoria Abril, Loles Leon and the usually ham-fisted Antonio Banderas and an interesting story, this well liked film is no masterpiece but worth checking out if like me you're a fan of Pedro Almodóvar.
William G

A modest, but effective rom-com between hostage and captor.
Marcus W

A dark - yet colourful - love story by way of Stockholm syndrome. And my first Almodovar. Want more.
Ina S

Not Almodovar's best film - but still interesting & entertaining enough to be worth checking out. The performances by Victoria Abril and Antonio Banderas and the chemistry save an otherwise rather contrived plot that struggles between drama and comedy. Almodovar's visual… More
Not Almodovar's best film - but still interesting & entertaining enough to be worth checking out. The performances by Victoria Abril and Antonio Banderas and the chemistry save an otherwise rather contrived plot that struggles between drama and comedy. Almodovar's visual narrative works well, as always, but the movie as a whole seems rather disjointed.
Anthony V

If you like stick and twisted, this is the movie for you.