High Heels (1991)
"Tacones lejanos" (original title)

A girl's mother returns after 15 years to find her daughter has married one of her (the mother's) old boyfriends. They try to mend their broken mother/daughter relationship and deal with ... See full summary »

Director:

Pedro Almodóvar

Writers:

Pedro Almodóvar (screenplay), Pedro Almodóvar (story)

Stars:

Victoria Abril, Marisa Paredes, Miguel Bosé

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Victoria Abril	...	Rebeca Giner
Marisa Paredes	...	Becky del Páramo
Miguel Bosé	...	Juez Domínguez / Hugo / Letal
Anna Lizaran	...	Margarita (as Ana Lizaran)
Mayrata O'Wisiedo	...	Madre del Juez Domínguez (as Mairata O'Wisiedo)
Cristina Marcos	...	Paula
Féodor Atkine	...	Manuel (as Feodor Atkine)
Pedro Díez del Corral	...	Alberto
Bibiana Fernández	...	Susana (as Bibi Andersen)
Nacho Martínez	...	Juan
Miriam Díaz-Aroca	...	Isabel
Lupe Barrado	...	Luisa
Juan José Otegui	...	Capellán Hospital (as Juan Jose Otegui)
Paula Soldevila	...	Enfermera Hospital
Javier Bardem	...	Regidor T.V.

Storyline

A girl's mother returns after 15 years to find her daughter has married one of her (the mother's) old boyfriends. They try to mend their broken mother/daughter relationship and deal with their common lover.

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Plot Keywords:

lover | orgasm | gun | imitation | flash forward | 

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Taglines:

a mother, a daughter, a lover. relationships can be murder.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of strong sensuality, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Spain France

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

20 December 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

High Heels

Filming Locations:

Elche, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 870,728,432 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, CiBy 2000, El Deseo S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The literal translation of the Spanish title into English is "Distant Heels", the sound of which both Becky and Rebecca refer to when reminiscing about their respective childhoods. The English title 'High Heels' may have led to its mixed reception by critics and audiences in the US and UK who were expecting a comedy about fashion.

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Quotes

Becky del Páramo: My daughter, Do you hate me?
Rebeca: No , I love you very much mother.
Becky del Páramo: I was afraid you hated me.
Rebeca: I hated you sometimes, but even on those times I never stop loving you.

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Connections

Referenced in Full Frontal (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Un año de amor"
(Un anno d'amore)
Written by Gaby Verlor
Lyrics Adapted by Pedro Almodóvar
Performed by Luz Casal
Artista exclusiva de Hispavox, S.A.

User Reviews

Lyrical, allegorical, and very well acted

Aldomovar is one of the few male directors on the planet who is a true artist and painting a portrait with female emotions. Using garish sets, outrageous humor, and witty songs, Aldomovar expertly juxtaposes the absurdity of what we fleetingly but devoutly believe is truly important with eternal truths. If you speak Spanish, then you are privy to another layer of wry duality that really doesn't translate through the subtitles. Abril is remarkable as the returning mother finding things turned upside down and ultimately doing it one or two better. Highly recommended.