Law of Desire
(1987)
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Law of Desire
(1987)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Eusebio Poncela | ... | |
| Carmen Maura | ... |
Tina Quintero
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| Antonio Banderas | ... | ||
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Miguel Molina | ... |
Juan Bermúdez
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Fernando Guillén | ... |
Inspector de policía
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| Manuela Velasco | ... |
Ada, niña
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Nacho Martínez | ... |
Doctor Martín
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Bibiana Fernández | ... |
Ada - madre
(as Bibí Andersen)
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Helga Liné | ... |
Madre de Antonio
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Germán Cobos | ... |
El Cura
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Fernando Guillén Cuervo | ... |
Policía, chico
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Marta Fernández Muro | ... |
Una Groupi
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Lupe Barrado | ... |
Enfermera
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Alfonso Vallejo | ... |
Sargento
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Maruchi León | ... |
Hermana de Juan
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Pablo and Tina have complicated sexual lives. Pablo writes and directs plays and films; he's gay and deeply in love with Juan, a young man who won't reply to Pablo's affection or letters. Pablo's sibling Tina is a transsexual, angry at men, raising Ada, and trying to make it as an actress. Pablo takes up with Antonio, a youth who becomes jealous of Pablo's love for Juan. Antonio seeks out Juan, and violence leads to Pablo's grief and a temporary loss of memory. When memory returns, he learns that Antonio has taken up with Tina. In horror, he hurries to Tina's rescue and must face Antonio and his desire. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
One of director Almodovars early films--and one of his best. A gay writer is basically stalked by a psychopath. The films manages to weave together comedy, drama and tragedy and make them all work! Also it manages to work in fairly explicit gay sex scenes and male nudity without it being exploitative--it just fits the storyline and characters. The movie takes a serious misstep about halfway through, throwing in a murder, but manages to regain its footing. The acting is pretty good--not great. Antonio Banderas is so-so as the psycho. I give him credit for engaging in gay sex scenes with no hesitation (I'd love to know what he thinks about this movie now!). The best thing about the movie is the direction--even when the story bogs down in spots, there's always something to look at on screen. Almodovar knows how to make films look beautiful and he, somehow, manages to have the settings fit the tone of the scene. How many directors can you say that about. An excellent film--well worth seeing. But if you're offended by explicit gay subject matter, stay away.