Boxing Helena (1993)

A surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once had an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.

Director:

Jennifer Chambers Lynch

Writers:

Philippe Caland (story), Jennifer Chambers Lynch (screenplay)

Stars:

Julian Sands, Sherilyn Fenn, Bill Paxton

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julian Sands	...	Dr. Nick Cavanaugh
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Helena
Bill Paxton	...	Ray O'Malley
Kurtwood Smith	...	Dr. Alan Harrison
Art Garfunkel	...	Dr. Lawrence Augustine
Betsy Clark	...	Anne Garrett
Nicolette Scorsese	...	Fantasy Lover / Nurse
Meg Register	...	Marion Cavanaugh
Bryan Smith	...	Russell
Marla Levine	...	Patricia
Kim Lentz	...	Nurse Diane
Lloyd T. Williams	...	Sam the Clerk
Carl Mazzocone Sr.	...	Pastor
Erik Shoaff	...	Uncle Charlie
Lisa Oz	...	Flower Shop Girl

Storyline

A top surgeon is besotted with a beautiful woman who once ditched him. Unable to come to terms with life without her, he tries to convince her that they need each other. She has other ideas, but an horrific accident leaves her at his mercy. The plot is bizarre and perhaps sick at times, ending abruptly and with a twist.

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Plot Keywords:

huis clos | sexual abuse | dismemberment | nudity | kidnapper kidnapped relationship | 

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Taglines:

A deep, dark obsession that bares a woman's body and a man's soul.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R on appeal for two scenes of strong sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dobozba zárt szerelem

Filming Locations:

822 Lullwater Road, Druid Hills, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,796,389 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mainline Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Chambers Lynch wrote the screenplay when she was 19 years old.

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Goofs

When Nick Cavanaugh is on the phone in a telephone box, the camera spins around the box. The reflection on all four sides of the phone box is identical indicating that the phone box is surrounded on all four sides by the same building with the same neon light.

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Quotes

Ray O'Malley: Hasta whatever!

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Connections

Referenced in Dharma & Greg: Boxing Dharma (2000)

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Soundtracks

"MOZART'S PIANO CONCERTO #25"
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Courtesy of LaserLight Digital
By Arrangement with Sounds of Film

User Reviews

weird

This is a bizarre film experience. It's well stated that this is directed by David Lynch's daughter so we should expect something different. I did..just not THIS different. The concept of a man having such an obsession with a woman that he would go to the extremes of kidnapping her and cutting off her limbs so she can't leave is kinda not for most tastes. Yet I have an odd fascination with it. It's just so weird to describe. The idea is just sick,but the film has you wondering what other lengths Julien Sands might stoop to. Obviously,Sherilyn Fenn's character is not gonna elicit much sympathy with such a strikingly bitchy personality..but really no one deserves what she got. Bill Paxton also has a peculiar role in this film as the only hope for saving Fenn. There's a bizarre scene where Sands makes Fenn watch him making love to another woman. This film is just too wildly bizarre for most people..I'm not exactly the best to trust in so you must see for yourself.. **/*****