Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > ¡Átame! (1990)
¡Átame!
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

¡Átame! (1990) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 14 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   6,483 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Pedro Almodóvar
Writers:
Pedro Almodóvar (screenplay)
Pedro Almodóvar (story)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
12 April 1990 (Argentina) more
Genre:
Drama | Crime | Romance more
Tagline:
A love story...with strings attached!
Plot:
Ricky is released from a mental hospital, and knows exactly what he wants to do. He hunts down Marina... more | add synopsis
Awards:
6 wins & 18 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Almodovar Dominates European Film Awards
 (From WENN. 9 December 2002)

User Comments:
people don't get the irony more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Victoria Abril ... Marina Osorio

Antonio Banderas ... Ricky
Loles León ... Lola
Julieta Serrano ... Alma
María Barranco ... Médica
Rossy de Palma ... Camello en Vespa
Francisco Rabal ... Máximo Espejo
Lola Cardona ... Directora psiquiátrico
Montse G. Romeu ... Periodista
Emiliano Redondo ... Decorador
Oswaldo Delgado ... Fantasma
Concha Rabal ... Farmacéutica
Alberto Fernández ... Productor
José María Tasso ... Anciano psiquiátrico
Angelina Llongueras ... Montadora
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (USA)
more
MPAA:
Rated NC-17 for scene of strong adult sensuality with nudity.
Runtime:
111 min
Country:
Spain
Language:
Spanish
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Singapore:R21 | Italy:VM18 | Italy:VM14 (re-rating) | Belgium:16 (video rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (rating surrendered) | USA:X (original rating) | Iceland:16
Filming Locations:
Barajas, Madrid, Spain more
Company:
El Deseo S.A. more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The sex scene between 'Antonio Banderas' and Victoria Abril took nine takes to get right, and about nine hours to film. Pedro Almodóvar chose to use the last take as, by that time, the two actors had worked themselves up into a sweat which made the scene appear to be more authentic. Elia Kazan later remarked that he thought it was one of the best sex scenes he had ever witnessed. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Battlestar Galactica: Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down (#1.9)" (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Resistiré more

FAQ

A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "¡Átame!" based on a novel?
Why does Marina seem upset at the end?
more
20 out of 26 people found the following comment useful:-
people don't get the irony, 9 May 2004
Author: Vernaye from United States

I'm amazed that people don't get the irony underlying this film. If you've seen other, earlier Almodovar films, you'll know that he explores sexual situations that come emanate from all sorts of crazy situations (think of Law of Desire (1987), for example, in which Banderas plays a man exploring his homosexuality). But what makes this film so great is that, unlike Almodovar's other films, it attempts to explore the nature of the "conventional," heterosexual matrix which, through Almodovar's eyes, becomes completely nonsensical. Indeed, the relationship between Marina and Ricky is meant, ultimately, to be a parody of how such relationships work, as if heterosexuality (and its consequence, marriage) are almost inevitably equivalent in character to the infamous Stockholm syndrome. The final twist of the film, mistakenly hated for its apparently patriarchal overtones, is in fact a humorous subversion of conventional sexual politics. `You're crazy! Love a man who kidnaps you and ties you up? Is that normal?' exclaims Marina's sister. Well, actually, yes, according to Almodovar, it's completely normal. When viewed with irony (most viewers seem to have a bad case of literal disease when it comes to this film), this movie is a devastating critique of modern heterosexuality. Note that the trio sing the Spanish version of "I will survive" at the very end, when everything has supposedly worked out, in Candide fashion, for the best...

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for ¡Átame! (1990)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Teacher showed this in class, got suspended OHJoel
What do you think happens after the end? CooInTheZoo
what's wrong with marina at the end? saidiemai
didnt enjoy it ricardito-1
rating kingcobra857
What is the name of the Song at the END? Emansblazer
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
La ley del deseo La confusion des genres Batalla en el cielo Mulholland Dr. Volver
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb Spain section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.